Department for Transport

Logistics: Coronavirus

Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress he has made in providing frontline supply-chain logistics personnel with (a) hand sanitiser, (b) anti-bacterial wipes and (c) relevant protective clothing in order to maintain reliable deliveries to supermarkets and other distribution outlets.

Kelly Tolhurst: We are working very closely with the logistics industry to keep supply chains moving, including to address this and other matters to keep workers safe. Public Health England updated advice on 24th March and 7th April. Advice is at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/social-distancing-in-the-workplace-during-coronavirus-covid-19-sector-guidance

Garages and Petrol Stations: Coronavirus

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether motor factors and independent garages are key workers who are required to keep working under the covid-19 guidance.

Rachel Maclean: As set out in “Guidance: Closing certain businesses and venues” issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, garages are among the exceptions to businesses which must close, and may remain open. All non-essential retail must close, including those retailers selling car parts and accessories. However online retailers, including those supplying car parts may remain open.

British Nationals Abroad: Coronavirus

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the airline industry on the repatriation of UK nationals.

Kelly Tolhurst: The Government is working in partnership with the airline industry to help British people travelling abroad to return to the UK, and up to £75 million in Government funding has been pledged to bring UK travellers back home. The Department for Transport is working closely with the FCO and airlines to ensure effective communication with and support for Britons who are trying to return home, and is working intensively with international partners to keep air routes and critical transit hubs open so that passengers can return by commercial means wherever possible. Where commercial routes are no longer available, charter flights are being arranged. This continues to be a challenging situation, as different countries introduce restrictions, but the Government and airlines are continuing to make progress, and a large number of Britons have now returned to the UK.

Travel: Coronavirus

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government is taking to support people on low incomes in the travel industry during the covid-19 outbreak.

Kelly Tolhurst: The Government recognises the importance of the UK aviation industry, which is why the Chancellor has announced an unprecedented package of economic measures to support both the sector’s businesses and its employees These measures include the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which helps firms to retain employees. This Scheme allows businesses to put employees on temporary leave, with the Government paying cash grants of 80% of their wages up to a cap of £2,500 per month, providing the business keeps the staff employed. The Government has also issued guidance on accessing Statutory Sick Pay and Universal Credit.The Department for Transport continues to engage closely with key industry stakeholders to understand their position and the support they need. This includes a weekly call with key unions in the aviation sector.

Public Transport: Coronavirus

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to allocate additional financial support to local transport authorities as a result of lower passenger numbers during the covid-19 outbreak.

Rachel Maclean: The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Aviation: Redundancy

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure people working the airline sector are not made redundant.

Kelly Tolhurst: The Government recognises the importance of the UK aviation industry, which is why the Chancellor set out his commitment to support the industry. The Government has announced a package of measures, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which help firms to retain employees. This Scheme will allow businesses to put employees on temporary leave, with the Government paying cash grants of 80% of their wages up to a cap of £2,500 per month, providing the business keeps the person employed.

Driving: Working Hours

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether statutory minimum safety standard and maximum driving times for drivers of (a) HGVs and (b) passenger vehicles will be revised to support logistical operations for the covid-19 outbreak.

Rachel Maclean: The Department for Transport is determined to help keep supply chains moving up and down the country despite COVID-19. That is why we authorised a temporary relaxation of the enforcement of the drivers’ hours rules for the whole haulage industry; which began on Monday 23 March 2020 and will run until Sunday 31 May 2020. This was done on the understanding that driver welfare and road safety must not be compromised. Employers remain responsible for the health and safety of their employees and other road users. We have not relaxed the drivers’ hours rules in the passenger transport sector.

Motor Vehicles: Testing

Jamie Stone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of suspending MOTs during the covid-10 outbreak.

Rachel Maclean: As announced on 25 March 2020, the Government is introducing a six-month exemption for all light vehicles due for an MOT test from 30 March 2020 onwards to allow people to carry on travel to work where essential, or shop for necessities. The assessment is that this a proportionate step in the light of the public health challenges related to COVID-19 compared to the potential effects of not testing. It remains important for vehicles in use to be roadworthy at all times.

Taxis: Coronavirus

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether (a) licensed London taxi drivers and (b) other taxi and private hire drivers are classified as key workers for the purposes of Government guidance during the covid-19 pandemic.

Rachel Maclean: Taxi and private hire drivers should not generally be considered Critical Workers. Those undertaking Home to School transport or the transport of ‘extremely vulnerable’ people may be considered Critical Workers on a case-by-case basis. Critical Workers should also whenever possible make suitable arrangements for their children to stay at home; requests for children to attend school should be discussed with the school.

Aviation: Coronavirus

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he is holding discussions with the airline industry on the emergence of above-market-rate ticket prices for repatriation flights.

Kelly Tolhurst: The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Aviation: Coronavirus

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of barring inbound flights as a result of covid-19.

Kelly Tolhurst: The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Driving: Licensing

Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will extend the expiry dates for (a) passenger carrying vehicle and (b) other higher categories of driving licences for volunteer specialist drivers (i) whose age requires a medical certificate to accompany their licence renewal application and (ii) who cannot access a GP appointment to obtain a medical certificate to accompany that licence renewal application during the covid-19 outbreak.

Rachel Maclean: To keep bus and lorry drivers on the road, the Government has made temporary provisions for bus and lorry drivers aged 45 and over. A D4 medical report will not be required when applying to renew a bus or lorry driving licence until further notice. Provided they have no notifiable medical conditions, drivers will be issued a licence that is valid for one year instead of the usual five. This will only apply if the licence is due to expire or has expired since 1 January 2020. As is always the case, drivers must ensure they are medically fit to drive and they are legally obliged to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency of any onset or worsening medical conditions.

Government Assistance: Regional Airports

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans the Government has to provide financial assistance to regional airports in response to the outbreak of covid-19.

Kelly Tolhurst: The Government recognises that airports are critical in enabling essential air services across the country and overseas, including getting Britons home from abroad, delivering essential supplies, and connecting isolated communities. We are working to make sure that a network of infrastructure remains in place across the UK to continue to deliver these services. Airports are able to draw upon the unprecedented package of measures announced by the Chancellor, including a Bank of England scheme for firms to raise capital, Time to Pay flexibilities with tax bills, financial support for employees and VAT deferrals, as well as existing measures such as the UK Guarantee scheme.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Personal Care Services: Coronavirus

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the social distancing measures require (a) beauty salons, (b) nail parlours and (c) hairdressers to close to the public.

Paul Scully: In order to further reduce the spread of the virus, on Friday 20 March, the Government told all businesses and venues in which activity necessitates prolonged social contact to close. This decision reflected clinical advice that the spread of infection is likely where people are in close contact for more than 15 minutes. That is why, on 23 March, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced increased measures to reduce social contact and expanded the list of business that should close immediately to include hairdressers, beauty and nail Salons.

Personal Care Services: Non-domestic Rates

Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether officials in his Department have had discussions with officials in the Treasury on making hairdressing salons eligible for business rate relief.

Paul Scully: Under guidance published on 18th March, hereditaments that are being used for the provision of hair and beauty services (such as hairdressers, nail bars, beauty salons, tanning shops, etc.) do qualify for the grants. It will be for individual local authorities to determine in each individual case when, having regard to this guidance, to grant relief.

Utilities: Billing

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to relieve the financial pressures of utility bills for people on lower incomes during the covid-19 outbreak.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The Secretary of State announced on 19 March that the Government, working with Citizens Advice, Ofgem and Energy UK have secured an industry-wide agreement to a set of principles for assisting consumers through difficulties caused by Covid-19 to: Identify and prioritise customers at riskSupport customers who are impacted financially as a direct or indirect result of Covid 19.Support prepayment meter customers directly or indirectly impacted by Covid 19 to stay on supply.Provide information to their customers The support offered will be based on the individual circumstances of the customer and the systems, processes and capability of the supply company, but could include extending discretionary or friendly credit, or sending out a pre-loaded top up card for traditional prepay customers who are unable to top up.

Employment: Coronavirus

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to ensure businesses do not compel people who are not key workers, and who rely on public transport, to travel to work.

Nadhim Zahawi: The Government has advised that people should be working from home where it is possible to do so. If it is impossible for someone to work from home, then they can go to work. We understand that certain jobs require people to travel to their work for instance if they operate machinery, or are delivering front line services, such as train and bus drivers, construction workers, restaurant workers handling deliveries or health and social care workers. Employers and employees should discuss their working arrangements. There is a duty on all employers to make every effort to facilitate their employees working from home, including providing suitable IT and equipment to enable remote working. Existing employment law already gives employees the right to request flexible working, which includes remote working. Where work must be done in the workplace, we have published tailored advice for how social distancing measures can be implemented by employers in England to help protect their workforce and customers from Coronavirus while continuing to trade. Businesses and employees can get advice on employment issues, including the latest on homeworking, at: www.acas.org.uk. For further advice and support, businesses can also ring the Department’s Business Support Helpline on 0300 456 3565.

Personal Care Services: Coronavirus

Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to issue guidance to hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons on closing as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Paul Scully: In order to further reduce the spread of the virus, on Friday 20 March, the Government told all businesses and venues in which activity necessitates prolonged social contact to close. This decision reflected clinical advice that the spread of infection is likely where people are in close contact for more than 15 minutes. On 23 March, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced increased measures to reduce social contact and expanded the list of business that should close immediately, and this included hairdressers, beauty and nail salons. Business owners and employees are encouraged to check https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus for the latest guidance and support available.

Newsagents: Prices

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to regulate pricing of stock in small newsagents to prevent fluctuations on essential items during the covid-19 outbreak.

Paul Scully: The Government condemns exploitative pricing practices in the light of the Covid-19 outbreak. The Competition and Markets Authority has created a Covid-19 taskforce to address concerns that some businesses are exploiting consumers through their pricing practices. The taskforce has already been in contact with traders about excessive hand sanitiser prices. Enforcement authorities will take action against companies that have broken competition or consumer protection law, and the Government continues to monitor these practices closely.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will include (a) the self employed and (b) non-business rate businesses in the coronavirus business interruption scheme.

Paul Scully: The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme supports small and medium-sized businesses with access to working capital (including loans, overdrafts, invoice finance and asset finance) of up to £5 million and for up to 6 years. The Scheme is available to self-employed individuals with an eligible business entity. This includes sole traders, freelancers, bodies corporate, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships or any other legal entity carrying out a business activity in the United Kingdom, with a turnover of less than £45m, operating in most sectors. Whether or not a business is liable for Business Rates, or occupies business premises, is not a consideration under the Scheme.

Low Carbon Hydrogen Production Fund

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2020 to Question 30151, whether he has taken steps to ensure that the covid-19 outbreak does not delay the launch of the Low Carbon Hydrogen Production Fund.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The coronavirus outbreak is the biggest public health emergency in a generation and Government is being mobilised to protect public health - with Civil Service capabilities and resources being redeployed accordingly. Nonetheless, supporting industry onto a pathway consistent with Net Zero remains a key Government priority and work continues at pace to ensure we meet our commitments. We remain committed to engaging with industry to design and deliver the £100 million Low Carbon Hydrogen Fund as planned.

Retail Trade: Protective Clothing

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that protective equipment is provided for people working in food shops during the covid-19 outbreak.

Nadhim Zahawi: The Government is clear that we must support people in work to follow PHE guidance during the Covid-19 outbreak. We have taken an evidence-based approach to the use of PPE. For people working in supermarkets, based on current evidence, practising good hand hygiene and social distancing is key to minimising the risk of infection. We are in regular conversations with industry, including the British Retail Consortium and supermarket CEOs, to ensure it is well prepared to deal with a range of scenarios and operations remain in line with the latest health guidance.

Retail Trade: Coronavirus

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what guidance his Department has issued to shop owners on protective measures for front line food retail staff during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Paul Scully: Government is clear that we must support people in work to do the right thing during a Covid-19 outbreak. We are in regular conversations with industry, including the British Retail Consortium and supermarket CEOs, to ensure it is well prepared to deal with a range of scenarios and operations remain in line with the latest health guidance. We need everyone to do their bit to stop the spread of the virus. We all have a responsibility to keep a distance from others – including while shopping. Food shops that remain open will be expected to comply with requirements on people to keep a distance from each other. We will continue working closely with supermarkets to help them meet the demand for online deliveries. We’re also working with local authorities to deliver essential items to those who are most vulnerable.

Iron and Steel: Furnaces

Stephen Kinnock: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make it his policy to classify steelworkers as key workers to ensure the maintenance of blast furnaces during the covid-19 outbreak.

Nadhim Zahawi: During this time of unprecedented disruption, the Government has not asked all businesses to shut; it is important for businesses to carry on where possible. That being said, only those who cannot work from home should travel to workplaces – I recognise that this will include many steel workers. The Government has provided updated, tailored guidance on social distancing; these and other measures should be implemented by employers in England to help protect their workforce from COVID-19, while still continuing their work. This guidance is available online at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/social-distancing-in-the-workplace-during-coronavirus-covid-19-sector-guidance. Public Health England have also issued guidance on how employers and businesses can continue to work safely, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/guidance-for-employers-and-businesses-on-coronavirus-covid-19 The Department recently wrote to those working in the UK manufacturing industry, to restate the Government’s clear position that manufacturing is a critical part of our economy and that that there is no restriction on manufacturing continuing under the current rules, as long as social distancing measures are followed. A copy of this letter is published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/guidance-for-employers-and-businesses-on-coronavirus-covid-19 The Government is in regular contact with the UK steel sector on Covid-19, and we will continue to support them to mitigate the impact.

Employment: Coronavirus

Mr Stephen Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether non-customer facing workers who do not have the facilities to work from home are able to continue to work at their workplace during the covid-19 outbreak.

Paul Scully: Government advice is clear. If at all possible, people should work at home and where they cannot, employers should ensure that the work environment is a safe one and follow all relevant public health guidance.Businesses and employees can get advice on individual employment issues by visiting the Acas website at www.acas.org.uk. Businesses can also ring the BEIS Business Support Line, 0300 456 3565, for further advice on support for business.

Post Offices: Franchises

Sam Tarry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what information his Department holds on Post Office Limited's criteria for awarding new franchises.

Paul Scully: While the Government sets the strategic direction for the Post Office, it allows the company the commercial freedom to deliver this strategy as an independent business. The criteria for awarding new franchises is an operational matter for Post Office Limited.  I have therefore asked Nick Read, the Group Chief Executive of Post Office Limited, to write to the hon. Member on this matter. A copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Post Offices: Franchises

Sam Tarry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what information his Department holds on the number and location of Post Office franchises awarded to ZCO Ltd in the latest period for which information is available.

Paul Scully: While the Government sets the strategic direction for the Post Office, it allows the company the commercial freedom to deliver this strategy as an independent business. The number and location of Post Office franchises awarded to ZCO Ltd  is an operational matter for Post Office Limited.  I have therefore asked Nick Read, the Group Chief Executive of Post Office Limited, to write to the hon. Member on this matter. A copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Retail Trade: Coronavirus

Rosie Duffield: To ask the Secretary of State Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether builders' merchants are defined as  essential businesses, for the purposes of his Department's 23 March 2020 guidance entitled Further businesses and premises to close.

Nadhim Zahawi: Construction plays a crucial role in supporting our public services, maintaining the nation’s infrastructure, and providing safe, decent homes for people to live in. Recently, the Government wrote to all those working in the construction sector to thank them for the critical contribution they are making to the resilience of this country. Builders’ merchants are an essential part of the construction supply chain and it is therefore important that they continue to operate. However, it is important that they do so in accordance with the guidance issued by Public Health England, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/social-distancing-in-the-workplace-during-coronavirus-covid-19-sector-guidance#construction

Employment: Telephone Services

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will introduce a telephone line for non-key workers to inform the Government in the event that their employer forces them to travel to and work in their workplace during the covid-19 pandemic.

Paul Scully: In this unprecedented time, we would urge employers to take socially responsible decisions and listen to the concerns of their workforce.Employers should be taking all efforts to allow people to work from home, but where this is impossible, employees are able to travel to and be at work. This can include those who have not been designated as key workers. Our clear message for people to stay at home where they can will help lessen the risk for those who must go to work.Employers and employees should discuss their working arrangements and work together to adhere to the guidance from Public Health England on working safely. If individuals need advice they should approach ACAS where they can get impartial advice about in work dispute. The Acas website is at www.acas.org.uk.

Construction: Coronavirus

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, for what reason non-essential construction workers have been advised to continue working during the covid-19 outbreak.

Nadhim Zahawi: Construction plays a crucial role in supporting our public services, maintaining the nation’s infrastructure, and providing safe, decent homes for people to live in. Recently, the Government wrote to all those working in the construction sector to thank them for the critical contribution they are making to the resilience of this country. Construction workers who cannot work from home, who show no symptoms of Covid-19, and who live in households where no person is self-isolating, should still go to work. This is consistent with the advice of the Chief Medical Officer. However, the Government is clear that construction activity should only continue where it can take place in line with the social distancing guidance provided by Public Health England. The guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/social-distancing-in-the-workplace-during-coronavirus-covid-19-sector-guidance#construction

Telephone Services: Coronavirus

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to encourage non-essential call centres to shut down or work from home.

Nadhim Zahawi: While the Government accepts that call centres may face specific technological challenges in allowing staff to work from home, they are subject to the same advice as every other employer. Where possible, people should work at home and where they cannot, employers should ensure that the work environment is safe by following relevant guidance from Public Health England.

Conditions of Employment: Kidney Donors

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what employment protections are in place for kidney organ donors.

Paul Scully: The Government is fully supportive of all types of donation whether by living donors or not. Most employees are entitled to employment protection such as statutory sick leave, protection from unfair dismissal and protection from unlawful discrimination. We would generally expect employers to be sympathetic when, for example considering requests for extra leave, which may be needed in these circumstances. NHS England will also reimburse living donor patients in order to ensure that the financial impact on the donor is cost neutral. Through this scheme, living donors can receive a refund for loss of earnings and some other costs such as travel. The policy on reimbursement was revised in 2018 in collaboration with NHS Blood and Transplant and is published on the NHS England website - https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/comm-pol-reimbursement-expenses-living-donors-v2.pdf

Clean Steel Fund

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 23 March 2020 to Question 30846, whether he is taking steps to mitigate the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the timetable for implementing the Clean Steel Fund.

Nadhim Zahawi: The Coronavirus outbreak is the biggest public health emergency in a generation and every part of the Government is being mobilised to protect our public health. While civil service capabilities and resources are being redeployed accordingly, supporting industry onto a pathway consistent with net zero remains a key priority and work continues to ensure we meet our commitments. Steel is a key industrial sector of strategic importance to the UK economy, and we remain committed to designing and delivering the £250 million Clean Steel Fund as planned. We will continue to work closely with stakeholders to develop the scheme, ensuring that it meets their interests.

Construction and Retail Trade: Coronavirus

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether it is the Government's policy that construction and retail works are not essential workers for the purposes of the Government's response to the covid-19 outbreak.

Nadhim Zahawi: The Government is committed to supporting people’s jobs and incomes, and we are working with businesses and unions to achieve this. Retail workers fall within two distinct categories, those who work in non-essential retail such as clothing and electronic stores, and those who work in essential retail such as food, fuel, pharmacy, and post offices. On Monday 23rd March, the Prime Minister announced further measures to reduce social contact and expanded the list of business closures to include non-essential retail. Retail workers who work in the sale of food are considered key workers. Construction workers play a crucial role in supporting our public services, maintaining the nation’s infrastructure, and providing safe, decent homes for people to live in. Where construction sector workers cannot work from home, they should still go to work unless they are vulnerable. However, the Government is clear that construction activity should only continue where it can take place in line with the guidance provided by Public Health England. Through the Construction Leadership Council, the construction industry has issued Site Operating Procedures to set out how this can be done. The Government has published a list of critical sectors which includes those deemed to be key workers, which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

Offshore Industry: North Sea

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to engage with (a) trade unions, (b) Oil and Gas UK and (c) the Oil and Gas Authority to help counter the economic impact of the (i) covid-19 pandemic and (ii) collapse in the price of oil on the North Sea oil and gas industry.

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking in response to the reduction in global prices of oil and gas to protect the (a) jobs and (b) skills of people working in that industry.

Kwasi Kwarteng: The Government is closely monitoring developments related to potential impacts on the upstream oil and gas sector from the collapse in the oil price and COVID-19 and is in regular contact with industry and the Oil and Gas Authority. I have held telephone meetings with representatives from the sector including business leaders, trade associations and the Oil and Gas Authority to discuss these issues. In response, Government has announced an unprecedented financial package to support businesses and has committed to do whatever it takes to get our nation through the impacts of this coronavirus pandemic. This includes a Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, as well as a host of measures to help businesses in this period with £330bn worth of government backed and guaranteed loans to support businesses across the UK. Additionally, responding to feedback from business, a Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme will ensure that more firms are able to benefit from government-backed support during this difficult time. It will provide a government guarantee of 80% to enable banks to make loans of up to £25 million to firms with an annual turnover of between £45 million and £500 million. We know that the offshore oil and gas sector and particularly its supply chain has a key role to play as we move to a net zero economy and we have committed to supporting this energy transition with a transformational Sector Deal.

Utilities: Staff

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will publish (a) a comprehensive list of what is deemed essential domestic utility work, (b) instructions on whether utility workers should engage in non-essential work and (c) his plans to ensure that employers (i) obey those instructions and (ii) support their workers to do so.

Nadhim Zahawi: Based on current medical advice, the Government has stated that workers can continue to work when they cannot work from home, show no symptoms of Covid-19, and live in a household where no person is self-isolating. We encourage households to engage with tradespeople on this basis, so urgent health and safety issues within homes can be inspected or remedied. Where such work takes place, Public Health England’s social distancing guidelines should be followed, which are available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/social-distancing-in-the-workplace-during-coronavirus-covid-19-sector-guidance#tradespeople-and-working-in-peoples-homes.

Marriage: Coronavirus

Matt Western: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that people receive refunds from venues for weddings that have been cancelled as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Paul Scully: Under consumer law, consumers may be entitled to a refund within 14 days, depending on the nature of the contract in place. Where payments were made using a credit card, redress can be sought from the credit card company. Some businesses are also offering consumers alternative arrangements, which individuals are able to choose should they wish. The Government is engaging continually with business and consumer advocacy bodies to assess the impact of cancellations made in the light of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Construction and Utilities: Coronavirus

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will clarify the guidance on work that is (a) prohibited and (b) regarded as essential in the (i) construction and (ii) utility industries during the covid-19 outbreak.

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans he has to introduce further restrictions to the work of (a) construction workers, (b) electricians and (c) plumbers in response to the covid-19 outbreak.

Nadhim Zahawi: Construction and utility workers play a crucial role in supporting our public services, maintaining the nation’s infrastructure and providing and maintaining safe, decent homes for people to live in. The Government has stated that construction and utilities work should continue where it can take place in line with the guidance provided by Public Health England.

Security: Staff

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the covid-19 outbreak, whether workers that install electronic security systems are classified as key workers.

Nadhim Zahawi: Government has issued guidance on maintaining educational provision for the children of critical workers during the Covid-19 outbreak. The guidance does not use the term ‘key workers’.Critical workers are defined as those whose work is critical to the Covid-19 response, based on consultation across Government. This could include workers that install electronic security systems, for example in hospitals. However, within the guidance on critical workers, there is no blanket inclusion for workers in that particular occupation, or in any other construction occupation.Government policy remains that construction work should continue, provided that it is undertaken in a manner consistent with the PHE guidance.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Colombia: Homicide

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the accuracy of media reports of killings of former FARC combatants that are taking part in the peace process.

Wendy Morton: Following the change to date for answer of this PQ, I submitted a response by email on 26 March, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.The UK shares the concerns of the Colombian Government regarding ongoing violence in Colombia, including the killings of former FARC combatants. We have been vocal in expressing our concern about the persistent high levels of violence and threats towards former FARC combatants and others, as well as the impact this has on the future of peace.The United Kingdom welcomes the Colombian Government's longstanding commitment to assisting former guerrilla fighters in transitioning to civilian life following the peace agreement of 2016. We have committed almost £45 million over 5 years through the United Kingdom's Conflict, Stability and Security Fund for Colombia to support development across conflict-affected regions. We have done this through programmes designed to build state capacity to ensure the safety of former fighters, and of other vulnerable individuals and groups, including outside of official reincorporation zones.We also raised our concern about this issue at the United Nations Security Council session on Colombia on 13 January, where we called on the Colombian government to accelerate its reintegration programmes for former combatants. We will continue to work closely with the Colombian government and civil society on the peace process and related matters.

Colombia: Human Rights

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to his Colombian counterpart on the security situation for human rights defenders in Colombia.

Wendy Morton: Following the change to date for answer of this PQ, I submitted a response by email on 26 March, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.The United Kingdom remains concerned about the persistent level of violence towards human rights defenders in Colombia. We consistently raise these issues with the Colombian Government, and in multilateral fora, most recently at the UN Security Council on 13 January, and during President Duque's visit to the UK in June 2019. Our Embassy in Bogota also continues to raise concerns about specific communities with the relevant state actors in Colombia.

Ecuador: Coronavirus

Wes Streeting: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) provide advice to and (b) repatriate UK citizens from Ecuador as a result of the covid-19 pandemic.

Wendy Morton: Following the change to date for answer of this PQ, I submitted a response by email on 26 March, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.Our Embassy in Quito is regularly updating their travel advice, and publishing information on flights on their social media channels to ensure UK citizens are aware of all options. The Embassy have also set up a register for those wishing to return to the UK, which has been shared through email, and amplified via social media. Information includes a video from our Ambassador, requesting telephone numbers to enable the Embassy to contact British nationals swiftly when flight opportunities arise. Details are being passed on to airlines to enable further commercial flights next week.

Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Governmentplans to extend the timescale of theintegrated review of foreign policy, defence, security and international development as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

James Cleverly: As Parliament rose earlier than planned and the first day for answer of this PQ was after the Easter recess, due to the pace of developments during the COVID-19 crisis, I submitted a response by email on 27 March, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.We have diverted resources from across government and the civil service to work on Covid-19, scaling back efforts on the Integrated Review. We will provide an update on timing in due course.

China: Uighurs

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to his Chinese counterpart on (a) closing the re-education camps in Xinjiang and (b) protecting elderly people detained in those camps from covid-19.

Nigel Adams: Following the change to date for answer of this PQ, I submitted a response by email on 26 March, with the following response.The Table Office have agreed this approach.The risk of the spread of COVID-19 in places of detention is a matter of concern in a number of countries around the world.We have consistently made clear our serious concerns about the human rights situation in Xinjiang, including the extra-judicial detention of over a million Uyghur Muslims and other minorities in "political re-education camps".On 9 March, the Foreign Secretary directly raised these concerns with his Chinese counterpart, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. On 10 March at the 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, the UK used its national statement to raise concerns about systematic human rights violations and reports of forced labour in Xinjiang. We continue to urge China to implement UN recommendations - to end the practice of extra-judicial detention of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities, and to allow UN observers unfettered access to the region.

China: Uighurs

David Linden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the accuracy of the conclusion of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom report on COVID-19, which stated that limited access to medical resources and the concentration of elderly detainees in the re-education camps in Xinjiang could lead to a humanitarian disaster.

Nigel Adams: Following the change to date for answer of this PQ, I submitted a response by email on 26 March, with the following response.The Table Office have agreed this approach.The risk of the spread of COVID-19 in places of detention is a matter of concern in a number of countries around the world. We are aware of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom report and will consider its findings.We have consistently made clear our serious concerns about the human rights situation in Xinjiang, including the extra-judicial detention of over a million Uyghur Muslims and other minorities in "political re-education camps".On 9 March, the Foreign Secretary directly raised these concerns with his Chinese counterpart, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. On 10 March at the 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, the UK used its national statement to raise concerns about systematic human rights violations and reports of forced labour in Xinjiang. We continue to urge China to implement UN recommendations - to end the practice of extra-judicial detention of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities, and to allow UN observers unfettered access to the region.

Kuwait: Coronavirus

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of UK nationals stranded in Kuwait; what discussions he has had with his Kuwaiti counterpart on allowing UK nationals to return home; what support the Government will provide to UK Nationals to return to the UK; and if he will make a statement.

James Cleverly: As Parliament rose earlier than planned and the first day for answer of this PQ was after the Easter recess, due to the pace of developments during the COVID-19 crisis, I submitted a response by email on 27 March, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.We are working closely with local authorities, commercial airlines and other diplomatic missions to enable British people to get home. Our consular team is working around the clock to provide support, advice and information. We are working intensively with the Governments of those countries, including Kuwait, that have closed their borders to people travelling to and from the UK, to enable airlines to bring back British people to the UK, if that is what they want.We have also published advice for British nationals who do not have immediate departure options available to them: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus#if-youre-abroad-and-you-want-to-return-to-the-uk.

Honduras: Coronavirus

Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assistance the British Embassy in Guatemala is providing to (a) New Forest East constituents confined to the island of Utila and (b) other UK citizens stranded in Honduras to enable their return to the UK, and if he will make a statement.

Wendy Morton: Following the change to date for answer of this PQ, I submitted a response by email on 27 March, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.We are closely monitoring the presence of UK nationals in Honduras, and their wellbeing remains our priority. Our Embassy in Guatemala continues to explore all possible options for their safe return to the UK, working closely with the relevant authorities and commercial airlines and potentially including the facilitation of clearance for chartered flights to enter. Our Embassy has been in touch with British Nationals stranded on Utila and the Bay Island

Coral Princess: British Nationals Abroad

Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what urgent assistance is being provided to UK citizens stranded on board the Coral Princess cruise vessel near Montevideo to facilitate their return to the UK.

Nigel Adams: Following the change to date for answer of this PQ, I submitted a response by email on 2 April, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is working relentlessly with the cruise company to facilitate the return home of UK passengers on the Coral Princess and enable them to take advantage of available onward flights to London. We are doing all we can to help British people on board and have contacted them directly.

British Nationals Abroad: Coronavirus

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what (a) financial and (b) other support the Government plans to provide to UK nationals stranded overseas and unable to return to the UK as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Nigel Adams: Following the change to date for answer of this PQ, I submitted a response by email on 26 March, with the following response.The Table Office have agreed this approach.The Foreign and Commonwealth Office provides information on what to do and who to contact if British nationals require financial assistance abroad: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/financial-assistance-abroad/financial-assistance-abroad. We are helping to reduce travel costs by encouraging airlines to have maximum flexibility on changing return tickets. Where people are in real need, our consular teams will work with them to consider their options and, as a last resort, offer an emergency loan. We have also published advice for British nationals who do not have immediate departure options available to them: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus#if-youre-abroad-and-you-want-to-return-to-the-uk.We are working closely with local authorities, commercial airlines and other diplomatic missions to enable British people to get home. Our consular team is working around the clock to provide support, advice and information. The situation is fast moving, and our advice at this time is for British nationals to secure safe accommodation and to speak to their tour operator, airline and insurance company to discuss the options available to them. Consular teams are continuing to support British people who are experiencing disruption. We are working intensively with the Governments of those countries that have closed their borders to people travelling to and from the UK, to enable airlines to bring back British people to the UK, if that is what they want. We are providing direct support to individuals through our contact centre and consular teams, but call volumes are high. In light of the rapidly changing situation, we urge all travellers to sign up for our travel advice alert service. We will keep the situation under review and remain in contact with the airline operators and authorities overseas to facilitate return travel.

Egypt: Coronavirus

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he plans to provide emergency flights to repatriate British nationals that are stranded in Egypt as a result of covid-19.

James Cleverly: As Parliament rose earlier than planned and the first day for answer of this PQ was after the Easter recess, due to the pace of developments during the COVID-19 crisis, I submitted a response by email on 27 March, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.On 19 March, Egyptian authorities announced the suspension of international flights. The global response to the coronavirus is evolving fast, and travel restrictions may change. Our teams around the world are working urgently to ensure that governments have sensible plans to enable the return of British and other travellers, and, crucially, to keep borders open for a sufficient period of time to enable returns to take place on commercial flights, wherever possible.The British Embassy Cairo is issuing updates on Facebook and on Twitter. Please follow social media for the latest available information on possible flight departures for British nationals needing to leave Egypt.

British Nationals Abroad: Coronavirus

Rosie Duffield: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to allow UK citizens to access long-term medication if they are abroad and unable to return to the UK during the covid-19 outbreak; and what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on establishing reciprocal arrangements for long term medication for non-UK residents who are in the UK.

Nigel Adams: Following the change to date for answer of this PQ, I submitted a response by email on 26 March, with the following response.The Table Office have agreed this approach.We are in close contact with the local authorities and are providing consular assistance to all British Nationals currently abroad who request it. This includes providing assistance in securing long-term medication for those who are unable to return to the UK.We are exploring the possibility of reciprocal arrangements for long term medication for non-UK residents who are in the UK. The British Government is working closely with industry, the NHS and others in the supply chain to help ensure patients, including non-UK residents, can access the medicines they need and precautions are in place to reduce the likelihood of future shortages. The Department for Health and Social Care shares regular information about impending supply issues and the management plan with the NHS via networks in primary and secondary care and will liaise with relevant patient groups about issues affecting specific medicines.

Peru: Coronavirus

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether British citizens being repatriated from Peru as a result of the covid-19 outbreak will have their travel costs reimbursed.

Wendy Morton: Following the change to date for answer of this PQ, I submitted a response by email on 26 March, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.The UK Government has undertaken to support British nationals in Peru get back to the UK. British nationals will not have to make any upfront payment. They will be asked to sign an 'Undertaking to Repay' for covering the cost of a small proportion of the flight cost at a later point in time. We are working to keep costs as low as possible, and expect seats to be approximately £250. Potential commercial flights out of Peru are currently far more expensive.

British Nationals Abroad: Coronavirus

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help UK citizens stranded overseas as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Nigel Adams: Following the change to date for answer of this PQ, I submitted a response by email on 26 March, with the following response.The Table Office have agreed this approach.We are working closely with local authorities, commercial airlines and other diplomatic missions to enable British people to get home. Our consular team is working around the clock to provide support, advice and information. The situation is fast moving, and our advice at this time is for British nationals to secure safe accommodation and to speak to their tour operator, airline and insurance company to discuss the options available to them. Consular teams are continuing to support British people who are experiencing disruption. We are working intensively with the Governments of those countries that have closed their borders to people travelling to and from the UK, to enable airlines to bring back British people to the UK, if that is what they want. British people abroad should keep up to date with our travel advice for the country/territory they are in. We have published advice for British nationals who do not have immediate departure options available to them: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus#if-youre-abroad-and-you-want-to-return-to-the-uk.

British Nationals Abroad: Coronavirus

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support his Department is providing to UK citizens who cannot get in touch with the airline that has cancelled their flight back to the UK.

Nigel Adams: Following the change to date for answer of this PQ, I submitted a response by email on 26 March, with the following response.The Table Office have agreed this approach.Consular staff at local embassies are working around the clock to provide support, advice and information. The British Government is working with airlines to keep routes open and is calling for international action to keep air routes open for a sufficient period of time to enable international travellers to return on commercial flights. British people abroad should keep up to date with our travel advice for the country/territory they are in. We have published advice for British nationals who do not have immediate departure options available to them: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus#if-youre-abroad-and-you-want-to-return-to-the-uk

Northern Cyprus: British Nationals Abroad

Rebecca Long Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs on organising repatriation flights for British nationals who wish to urgently return to the UK from Northern Cyprus.

Wendy Morton: Following the change to date for answer of this PQ, I submitted a response by email on 30 March, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.Our teams around the world are working urgently to ensure that governments have sensible plans to enable the return of British and other travellers, and, crucially, to keep borders open for a sufficient period of time to enable returns to take place on commercial flights, wherever possible.The administration in the north of Cyprus has introduced a total ban on entry for all foreign nationals, including the UK. This includes those holding residency, work, or student permits. Following policy changes announced by the Republic of Cyprus Government and the administration in the north, all crossing points between the Republic and the north are effectively closed to travellers. British travellers should contact their tour operator or transport provider now if they want to leave. We are working closely with the Government of Cyprus to explore options.

Guyana: Elections

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the Foreign Secretary's statement on Guyana, published on 10 March 2020, what recent representations he has made to his counterpart in Guyana; and what recent diplomatic steps he has taken to ensure the election results of that country are announced.

Wendy Morton: Following the change to date for answer of this PQ, I submitted a response by email on 26 March, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.On 13 March, our High Commissioner to Georgetown released a third joint statement with Heads of Missions of the Embassy of the United States of America, the Canadian High Commission, and the Delegation of the European Union, expressing our deep concern over events following the elections in Guyana on 2 March. On 24 March the Foreign Secretary issued his second statement noting that transition of government should only take place in line with transparent and democratic principles that lead to credible results. He stated that any government sworn in on the basis of non-credible results will face strong international condemnation. We call upon the President to ensure that proper procedures are followed before embarking upon a transition of government and we stand ready, alongside the international community, to assist in ensuring a credible process that provides the democratic outcome that the Guyanese people deserve.

Australia: Coronavirus

Rebecca Long Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he held with his Australian counterpart on the extent to which closed borders may potentially prevent British citizens in Australia from returning to the UK; and what assessment he has made of the ability of those British citizens to purchase commercial flight tickets in order to return to the UK.

Nigel Adams: Following the change to date for answer of this PQ, I submitted a response by email on 27 March, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.We are proactively engaging commercial airlines and governments worldwide, including Australia, on keeping flight routes and transit hubs open to enable British nationals to return home. Our British High Commissioner in Canberra has written to the Australian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister on this issue. We are signposting British nationals to commercial flight options and continuing to explore new routes by which then can travel home. We have also set up an online registration tool for any British nationals in Australia who require our support. The Prime Minister last spoke to PM Morrison about the broader COVID-19 crisis on 14 March.

Libya: Armed Conflict

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the level of Turkish military involvement in the civil war in Libya; and if he will make a statement.

James Cleverly: As Parliament rose earlier than planned and the first day for answer of this PQ was after the Easter recess, due to the pace of developments during the COVID-19 crisis, I submitted a response by email on 2 April, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.We continue to be aware of reports of Turkish military involvement in Libya. This risks aggravating the conflict and worsening regional tensions. We have expressed our concerns to the Turkish Government, as we have with other external actors whose activity continues to fuel the conflict. The UK and Turkey participated in the 19th January Berlin conference on Libya. UN Security Council Resolution 2510 endorsed the Conference Conclusions and demanded full compliance with the UN arms embargo and an end to foreign military interference in Libya. During the Foreign Secretary's 3rd March visit to Ankara, he met President Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu and reiterated the UK's commitment to de-escalation and support to the UN-led peace process in Libya. The UK is clear that lasting peace and stability in Libya will come only through an inclusive political settlement.

MS Zaandam: British Nationals Abroad

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will take steps to ensure British citizens on MS Zaandam receive (a) a medical assessment, (b) reimbursement for medical care (c) continuous communication with (i) the FCO and (ii) their families and (d) travel home to the UK; and if he will make representations to his counterparts in countries near the cruise ship to ensure the safe care of those citizens during a covid-19 quarantine period.

Nigel Adams: Following the change to date for answer of this PQ, I submitted a response by email on 27 March, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.We are monitoring the situation of MS Zaandam. We have engaged with the relevant authorities to request permission to allow the transfer of goods and medical equipment, and to offload asymptomatic passengers, and fly them out on charter flights. We have asked cruise companies to arrange flights if successful. On 26 March, Minister Morton raised our concerns with the Chairman of the cruise company.

Taliban: Peace Negotiations

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2020 to Question 28707, on Taliban: Peace Negotiations, whether the UK had diplomatic representatives involved in the US-Taliban peace negotiations.

Nigel Adams: Following the change to date for answer of this PQ, I submitted a response by email on 2 April, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.The UK did not have diplomatic representation at US-Taliban talks in Doha. We were in close consultation throughout the process. We engaged intensively with the US, Afghan Government and our NATO allies and partners. The UK continues to support Afghanistan on its path towards a more peaceful and positive future.

British Nationals Abroad: Coronavirus

Nadia Whittome: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with travel insurance providers on supporting UK nationals overseas who are in the extremely vulnerable category and advised to shield from coronavirus.

Nigel Adams: Following the change to date for answer of this PQ, I submitted a response by email on 27 March, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.As the Foreign Secretary stated in the House on 24 March, we are prioritising the most vulnerable. We are in regular contact with the insurance industry to keep the information on our travel advice pages up to date, and continue to work with all partners to ensure that the most vulnerable passengers receive the help they require.

British Nationals Abroad: Coronavirus

Nadia Whittome: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will issue guidance on whether UK nationals overseas who have been advised to shield from coronavirus should return to the UK.

Nigel Adams: Following the change to date for answer of this PQ, I submitted a response by email on 27 March, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.British nationals should follow the instructions of local authorities and take into account medical advice specific to their personal circumstances. In general, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has recommended that all British nationals who live in the UK and are currently travelling abroad, whether working or on holiday, should return now, where and while there are still commercial routes available. International travel is becoming more difficult with the closure of land borders and further restrictions, such as on freedom of movement, are being introduced daily. Foreign and Commonwealth Office teams around the world are working urgently to ensure that governments have sensible plans to enable the return of British and other travellers, and ensure that the most vulnerable travellers receive the help they require.

New Zealand: Coronavirus

Nadia Whittome: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that British nationals in New Zealand are able to contact and receive support from the Consulate in New Zealand during the covid-19 outbreak.

Nigel Adams: As Parliament rose earlier than planned and the first day for answer of this PQ was after the Easter recess, due to the pace of developments during the COVID-19 crisis, I submitted a response by email on 31 March, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.The British High Commission in Wellington is fully staffed and doing all it can to support British nationals at this time, including on routes home. The New Zealand Government has introduced strict restrictions on movement. This requires businesses, including diplomatic premises, to work fully remotely to support social distancing. Consular services are deemed essential and therefore, our High Commission is open to issue emergency travel documents. However, given the New Zealand Government's directive on social distancing, we are asking people not to visit our High Commission in Wellington, or our Consulate in Auckland in person, and instead reach out via our online webform. This is the most effective way to ensure that all requests for support are captured and triaged appropriately.

Cayman Islands: Taxation

Gavin Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the blacklisting of the Cayman Islands by the EU ECOFIN Committee on 18 February 2020.

Gavin Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterpart in the Cayman Islands on the blacklisting of that country by the EU ECOFIN Committee on 18 February 2020.

Gavin Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has plans to provide support to his counterpart in the Cayman Islands for the removal of that country from the list of blacklisted countries held by the EU ECOFIN Committee.

Gavin Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his EU counterparts on the blacklisting of the Cayman Islands by the EU ECOFIN Committee.

Gavin Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the risk that Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories other than the Cayman Islands may be blacklisted by the EU ECOFIN Committee.

Wendy Morton: As a self-governing and fiscally autonomous jurisdiction, the Cayman Islands make commitments independently of the UK. We encourage the Cayman Islands and the EU to work closely together to resolve any outstanding issues.The UK supports adherence to international tax standards and we encourage the governments of all Overseas Territories to work with the EU to deliver on their commitments. This is a message the Minister for the Overseas Territories conveys in her regular contact with the governments of the Overseas Territories. We welcome the measures which the Cayman Islands have put in place.

Australasia: Coronavirus

Sir David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to repatriate British citizens from (a) Australia and (b) New Zealand affected by the covid-19 outbreak.

Nigel Adams: As Parliament rose earlier than planned and the first day for answer of this PQ was after the Easter recess, due to the pace of developments during the COVID-19 crisis, I submitted a response by email on 2 April, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.We are proactively engaging commercial airlines and governments worldwide, including for Australia and New Zealand, on keeping flight routes and transit hubs open to enable British Nationals to return home. Our High Commissioner in Canberra has written to the Australian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister on this issue. We are signposting British nationals to commercial flight options and continuing to explore new routes by which they can travel home. We have also set up an online registration tool for any British Nationals in Australia who require our support. Found at: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/australia/return-to-the-ukIn New Zealand, the British High Commission in Wellington is fully staffed and doing all it can to support British Nationals at this time, including finding routes home. Our High Commission remains open to issue emergency travel documents. However, given the New Zealand Government's directive on social distancing, we are asking people not to visit our High Commission in Wellington or our Consulate in Auckland in person, and instead reach out via our online webform. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/new-zealand/coronavirus

Coronavirus: Disease Control

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what diplomatic steps the Government is taking to help ensure human rights are protected as foreign governments implement restrictive measures to tackle the covid-19 pandemic.

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he is taking steps to ensure that Governments overseas put in place covid-19 responses that respect (a) human rights, (b) international law and (c) the principles of (i) legality, (ii) necessity and (iii) proportionality.

Nigel Adams: As Parliament rose earlier than planned and the first day for answer of this PQ was after the Easter recess, due to the pace of developments during the COVID-19 crisis, I submitted a response by email on 7 April, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.The UK is committed to protecting and promoting human rights throughout the world. We are engaging extensively with a range of international partners including the G7 and G20 to support an effective global response to the Covid-19 pandemic. We continue to encourage all countries to follow World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines and to ensure that all responses to the Covid-19 outbreak comply with international human rights law.In his statement after the G7 meeting of 25 March, the Foreign Secretary said that G7 partners had agreed to work together to intensify international co-operation to support vulnerable countries. The UK has announced up to £241 million of UK aid funding to support the global efforts to combat the outbreak of Covid-19.

Indonesia: British Nationals Abroad

Rebecca Long Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he held with his Indonesian counterpart on the extent to which closed borders may potentially prevent British citizens in Bali, or wider Indonesia, from returning to the UK; and what assessment he has made of the ability of those British citizens to purchase commercial flight tickets in order to return to the UK.

Nigel Adams: As Parliament rose earlier than planned and the first day for answer of this PQ was after the Easter recess, due to the pace of developments during the COVID-19 crisis, I submitted a response by email on 9 April, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.FCO officials are working with airlines and with the authorities of Indonesia and potential transit countries to help British travellers get home. The Foreign Secretary spoke with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on 1 April; she reassured him that Indonesia would keep flight routes running and would support the UK's repatriation efforts. The Foreign Secretary expressed appreciation of Indonesia's support in getting 7000 British Nationals home from Bali, including the role of national airline Garuda Indonesia. I (Minister Adams) spoke to Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Mahendra Siregar on 23 March. More widely, we are working urgently to ensure that governments worldwide have plans in place to enable the return of British and other travellers and to keep borders open for a sufficient period of time to enable returns to take place on commercial flights wherever possible. We are also working with airlines to ensure as many people as possible can get commercial flights home.

British Nationals Abroad: Coronavirus

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will take steps to ensure that British citizens  overseas are returned home by 21 April 2020 in response to the covid-19 pandemic.

Nigel Adams: As Parliament rose earlier than planned and the first day for answer of this PQ was after the Easter recess, due to the pace of developments during the COVID-19 crisis, I submitted a response by email on 8 April, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.The Foreign Secretary announced on 30 March an important new partnership between the Government and airlines to fly home more stranded British travellers, where commercial routes do not exist. The Government will provide up to £75 million financial support to enable special charter flights to priority countries, operated by airlines including British Airways, Virgin, Easyjet, Jet 2 and Titan. This service has already begun, with flights from Peru, Senegal, UAE, Ecuador, Bolivia, Ghana, Algeria and Tunisia as of 6th April.Our consular team is working around the clock to provide support, advice and information. The situation is fast moving, and our advice at this time is for British nationals to secure safe accommodation and to speak to their tour operator, airline and or insurance company to discuss the options available to them. We are working intensively with the governments of those countries that have closed their borders to people travelling to and from the UK, to enable airlines to bring British Nationals home.British Nationals abroad should keep up to date with our travel advice for the country/territory they are in. We have published advice for British Nationals who do not have immediate departure options available to them: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus#if-youre-abroad-and-you-want-to-return-to-the-uk

Integrated Security, Defence and Foreign Policy Review

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with (a) the Prime Minister and (b) other Cabinet colleagues on postponing the Integrated Review of foreign policy, defence, security and international development in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.

James Cleverly: As Parliament rose earlier than planned and the first day for answer of this PQ was after the Easter recess, due to the pace of developments during the COVID-19 crisis, I submitted a response by email on 3 April, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.On the 24 March the Prime Minister wrote to the Chairs of the Foreign Affairs, Defence, and International Development Select Committees informing them that resources from across government and the civil service have been diverted to work on Covid-19, scaling back efforts on the Integrated Review. In his letter, the Prime Minister committed to provide an update once it is clear how and when we will be able to resume full work on the Review.

Third Sector and Trade Unions: Coronavirus

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help protect civil society and trade unions in countries affected by covid-19.

Nigel Adams: As Parliament rose earlier than planned and the first day for answer of this PQ was after the Easter recess, due to the pace of developments during the COVID-19 crisis, I submitted a response by email on 7 April, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.We are working closely with our international counterparts to reduce the health and economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and to set the stage for a strong recovery of sustainable economic growth and prosperity. Our priority is to support the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other multilateral actors to contain Covid-19 and mitigate secondary health and socio-economic impacts. It is essential that all responses to the Covid-19 outbreak must be in compliance with international human rights law. In his statement after the G7 meeting of 25 March, the Foreign Secretary noted the G7 had agreed on the importance of a strongly coordinated international approach to protect the world economy.

British Nationals Abroad: Coronavirus

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to commission emergency flights from the UK to repatriate British citizens stranded overseas as a result of the covid-19 pandemic.

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to enable the use of unused planes at airports to repatriate British citizens.

Nigel Adams: As Parliament rose earlier than planned and the first day for answer of this PQ was after the Easter recess, due to the pace of developments during the COVID-19 crisis, I submitted a response by email on 8 April, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.The Foreign Secretary announced on 30 March an important new partnership between the Government and airlines to fly home more stranded British travelers, where commercial routes do not exist. The Government will provide up to £75 million financial support to enable special charter flights to priority countries, operated by airlines including British Airways, Virgin, Easyjet, Jet 2 and Titan. This service has already begun, with flights from Peru, Senegal, UAE, Ecuador, Bolivia, Ghana, Algeria and Tunisia as of 6th April.

British Nationals Abroad: Coronavirus

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to return home British citizens trapped in places where (a) the British embassy is closed, (b) commercial flights are not available, (c) consular services cannot be accessed, (d) they have no access to hotels and (e) they are subject to curfews that prohibit them accessing required travel facilities.

Nigel Adams: As Parliament rose earlier than planned and the first day for answer of this PQ was after the Easter recess, due to the pace of developments during the COVID-19 crisis, I submitted a response by email on 2 April, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.Posts are continuing to carry out essential work including providing 24/7 consular assistance and support to British people overseas. International travel is becoming more difficult with the closure of land borders and further restrictions, such as on freedom of movement, are being introduced daily. Foreign and Commonwealth Office teams around the world are working urgently to ensure that governments have sensible plans to enable the return of British and other travellers. British people abroad should keep up to date with our travel advice for the country/territory they are in. We have published advice for British Nationals who do not have immediate departure options available to them: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus#if-youre-abroad-and-you-want-to-return-to-the-uk

British Nationals Abroad: Coronavirus

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with airlines on the use of unused planes around the world to return British citizens home as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement.

Nigel Adams: As Parliament rose earlier than planned and the first day for answer of this PQ was after the Easter recess, due to the pace of developments during the COVID-19 crisis, I submitted a response by email on 8 April, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.The Foreign Secretary announced on 30 March an important new partnership between the Government and airlines to fly home more stranded British travelers, where commercial routes do not exist. The Government will provide up to £75 million financial support to enable special charter flights to priority countries, operated by airlines including British Airways, Virgin, Easyjet, Jet 2 and Titan. This service has already begun, with flights from Peru, Senegal, UAE, Ecuador, Bolivia, Ghana, Algeria and Tunisia as of 6th April.Foreign and Commonwealth Office teams around the world are working urgently to ensure that governments have sensible plans to enable the return of British and other travellers, and, crucially, to keep borders open for a sufficient period of time to enable returns to take place on commercial flights, wherever possible.

China: Coronavirus

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the validity of information from the Chinese Government on the initial outbreak of covid-19.

Nigel Adams: As Parliament rose earlier than planned and the first day for answer of this PQ was after the Easter recess, due to the pace of developments during the COVID-19 crisis, I submitted a response by email on 7 April, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.We have been in regular contact with the Chinese authorities at all levels since the onset of the Covid-19 outbreak, including on 23 March when the Prime Minister spoke to President Xi Jinping. We have continued to underline the importance of full and open data sharing to advance our understanding of the virus and the global response. We have raised this through our Ambassador in Beijing and in meetings with the Chinese Embassy in London.

China: Coronavirus

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of whether information was suppressed by the Chinese Government after the initial outbreak of covid-19 in Wuhan Province.

Nigel Adams: As Parliament rose earlier than planned and the first day for answer of this PQ was after the Easter recess, due to the pace of developments during the COVID-19 crisis, I submitted a response by email on 7 April, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.We have been in regular contact with the Chinese authorities at all levels since the onset of the Covid-19 outbreak, including on 23 March when the Prime Minister spoke to President Xi Jinping. We have continued to underline the importance of full and open data sharing to advance our understanding of the virus and the global response. We have raised this through our Ambassador in Beijing and in meetings with the Chinese Embassy in London.

Animals: Markets

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on closing all markets selling wild animals for consumption in (a) China and (b) throughout the world.

Nigel Adams: As Parliament rose earlier than planned and the first day for answer of this PQ was after the Easter recess, due to the pace of developments during the COVID-19 crisis, I submitted a response by email on 2 April, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.Pandemics arise as a combination of events and are a global concern. The origin of the Covid-19 virus is not yet clear, although it has been linked to viruses occurring in animals. The UK is at the forefront of international efforts to regulate global trade in wild animals and my officials regularly raise our concerns with other governments, including China, and with international authorities. The World Animal Health Organisation, of which the UK is a member, will be addressing wildlife trade at the next general session in May 2020. On 24 February 2020 China's National People's Congress passed a law banning the wildlife trade and the consumption of wild animals.

Coronavirus: Disease Control

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that all NHS trained staff who wish to return from overseas to assist with the covid-19 outbreak in the UK are supported to do so.

Nigel Adams: As Parliament rose earlier than planned and the first day for answer of this PQ was after the Easter recess, due to the pace of developments during the COVID-19 crisis, I submitted a response by email on 9 April, with the following response. The Table Office have agreed this approach.The Foreign Secretary announced on 30 March an important new partnership between the Government and airlines to fly home more stranded British travelers, where commercial routes do not exist. The Government will provide up to £75 million financial support to enable special charter flights to priority countries, operated by airlines including Virgin, Easyjet, Jet 2 and Titan. This service has already begun, with flights earlier this week from Ghana and Tunisia.Our consular team is working around the clock to provide support, advice and information. We are aware that there are key workers, including NHS trained staff, who are stuck abroad; this highlights the imperative of getting people back.

Attorney General

Crown Prosecution Service: Finance

Jerome Mayhew: To ask the Attorney General, what plans she has for the allocation of the £80 million CPS budget increase announced in the Spending Round 2019.

Michael Ellis: The Government is investing across the justice system and has invested £85m in the CPS up to 2021. This will enable the CPS to respond effectively to the expected increase in caseload resulting from the recruitment of 20,000 new police officers; to better meet its disclosure obligations; to work with investigators to pursue all reasonable lines of inquiry; and to deliver much needed changes to external counsel fees. Investing in the CPS, to support it to respond to these pressures, demonstrates this Government’s commitment to ensuring that justice is served.

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: South Yorkshire

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to allocate additional funding to protect public health in the event of an outbreak of covid-19 in South Yorkshire.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 13 March 2020



The Chancellor has set out a £12 billion package of temporary, timely and targeted measures to support public services, individuals and businesses through the economic disruption caused by COVID-19.The Government continues to work closely with the Bank of England and international partners and announced a three-point plan at the Budget, one of which is to support public services.Full details of the Budget 2020 and where funds have been allocated can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-those-affected-by-covid-19/support-for-those-affected-by-covid-19

Coronavirus: Disease Control

Dawn Butler: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to tackle the effect of covid-19 on (a) women (b) Black, Asian and minority ethnic people and (c) disabled people.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 19 March 2020



The COVID-19 outbreak is the biggest public health emergency in a generation. We are doing everything we can to tackle the pandemic and mitigate its impact on everyone, including women, black, Asian and minority ethnic people and disabled people.On Wednesday 25 March, the Coronavirus Act 2020 was given Royal Assent. An impact assessment and Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) assessment was conducted in relation to the provisions contained in the Coronavirus Bill. The PSED requires public bodies to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between different people when carrying out their activities, including those with protected characteristics such as sex, ethnicity and disabilities. We will continue to consider the impacts on people with protected characteristics when considering how to implement policies using powers contained in the Act.

Coronavirus: Prescription Drugs

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with NHS professionals on prescribing longer courses of medication for people who have to self-isolate and require regular medication during the coronavirus outbreak.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 23 March 2020



The Government has advised that the duration of prescriptions should not be increased as this would put strain on the supply chain and presents a potential risk to patient safety.Steps have been taken to reduce the need for a longer course of medicine. Patients, who are required to shield during the COVID-19 pandemic due to a medical condition as identified by NHS England and NHS Improvement, may have any prescription medication that they require delivered to their homes if they do not have family members, friends or a carer who can collect medicines on their behalf. Pharmacies can advise the patient of the potential for a local volunteer to act on their behalf to collect their medicines or, if this is not possible, arrange for the delivery of the medicines either themselves or through another pharmacy.

Coronavirus: Disease Control

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on vulnerable groups of self-isolation as a result of the outbreak of covid-19.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 23 March 2020



In these extraordinarily challenging times, the Government has asked specialist clinical teams to identify their patients who fit the criteria for moderate and high-risk groups. High-risk people will be shielded and provided with a package of care that will hopefully support their needs.The Government has published guidance which includes information on self-distancing for vulnerable people, shielding and protective measures for vulnerable people and guidance on looking after your mental health. More information on this guidance can be found at the following links:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adultshttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-public-on-mental-health-and-wellbeing/guidance-for-the-public-on-the-mental-health-and-wellbeing-aspects-of-coronavirus-covid-19

Coronavirus: Hospital Ships

Royston Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of requesting that cruise line companies make cruise ships available for use as make-shift hospitals during the covid-19 outbreak.

Edward Argar: A number of options continue to be reviewed for accommodating patients with COVID-19. Whilst cruise ships may provide one option for supporting patient beds, the configuration of cruise ship bedrooms make the treatment of patients with COVID-19 potentially more difficult with regard to staffing.

Coronavirus: Screening

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many covid-19 testing kits he has ordered from Biopanda Reagents.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 23 March 2020



Testing is a crucial part of the United Kingdom’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and we are working on multiple fronts to deliver additional testing capacity into the system We are making provisions to secure testing kits both to meet current demand and scale our capacity. This includes securing testing kits from a variety of sources. The suppliers and the number of tests is subject to confidential commercial agreements and we are unable to confirm the number.

Coronavirus: Carers

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what additional steps the Government is taking to protect the health of individuals who live with or care for those with weakened immune systems.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 23 March 2020



Guidance has been published for people who are at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 because of an underlying health condition, and for their family, friends and carers. This is available to view at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19.Further communications to individuals on their risks have been sent by the National Health Service.Guidance has also been published on social distancing for everyone in the United Kingdom and protecting older people and vulnerable persons. This includes advice for those at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 to be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures. This guidance is available to view at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

Infant Foods: Coronavirus

Sir David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that (a) baby food, (b) infant formula and (c) infant medication continue to be available during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 23 March 2020



The Government has introduced new measures to support businesses to keep food, including baby food, supply flowing on to shelves and into homes, such as temporary relaxation of competition laws to allow supermarkets to work together, extending delivery hours to supermarkets and flexing rules on drivers’ hours to allow a higher frequency of deliveries to stores to ensure shelves are being replenished more quickly.In relation to infant formula, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Glasgow Central (Alison Thewliss MP) on 26 March to Question 30064.The Department is working closely with industry, the National Health Service and others in the supply chain to help ensure patients can access the medicines they need, including infant medications, and precautions are in place to reduce the likelihood of future shortages. The steps being taken to protect United Kingdom supplies in response to the COVID-19 outbreak were set out in the Department’s press statement issued on 11 February 2020. This statement can be read at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-monitor-impact-of-coronavirus-on-uk-medicine-supply

Air Ambulance Services: Coronavirus

Rosie Duffield: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to ensure the continued operation of air ambulances during the covid-19 outbreak.

Edward Argar: Holding answer received on 24 March 2020



The Department continues to engage with the air ambulance sector via Air Ambulances UK, the national organisation for the United Kingdom’s air ambulance charities. The charities have been asked to provide an assessment of the operations and fundraising impact of COVID-19 to give a clear national picture of their needs. Further to this, any support required by air ambulance charities is being considered by the National Ambulance Coordination Centre as part of their role in supporting voluntary sector deployment as appropriate during the COVID-19 pandemic.Air ambulances are self-funded, but the Government has previously provided one-off grants to support capital projects, such as building or extending airbases and helipads, and purchasing equipment, cars and aircraft.

Air Ambulance Services: Coronavirus

Rosie Duffield: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of nationalising air ambulances during the covid-19 pandemic.

Edward Argar: Holding answer received on 24 March 2020



Air ambulance organisations are independent charities with their own governance arrangements and operating models.Whilst air ambulances are helping with the national response, through loaning of staff and equipment, they are also continuing with the delivery of life-saving services to non-COVID-19 patients. The charitable model gives the air ambulance charities independence to deliver specialised services to meet the specific needs of the populations they serve.

Public Health Laboratory Service: Coronavirus

Meg Hillier: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what function public health laboratories have in covid-19 testing.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 24 March 2020



Public health laboratories are providing diagnostic testing to the National Health Service, supporting community-based surveillance programmes, undertaking testing to support outbreaks in critical settings such as prisons and care homes and providing a testing referral service to NHS laboratories testing for COVID-19 for difficult or unclear results.

Coronavirus: Ventilators

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many additional companies have agreed to start producing ventilators for the covid-19 outbreak.

Edward Argar: On 27 March the Government confirmed it had received a large number of offers from companies who can support in the supply of ventilators and ventilator components across the United Kingdom. They will be matching requirements and will reach out to companies individually.There are currently three major companies supporting this effort which include:- VentilatorchallengeUK - whose role is to help ramp up production of a proven ventilator design, which has been supplied by a leading UK medical company to help those suffering from the virus. They will be providing integrated, tested sub-systems and components, which makes best use of their strong project management and engineering skills, while saving significant time during final assembly of the ventilators;- Dyson, the globally recognized appliance maker, is working with The Technology Partnership on a brand new ventilator design called the CoVent. This design is meant to be made quickly and at high volumes, and leverages Dyson’s existing digital motor design, as well as the company’s air purification products, to deliver safe and consistent ventilation for COVID-19 patients. Dyson is donating 5,000 CoVent ventilator units to the international effort, 1,000 of which will go to the UK and intends to fulfil a UK Government order of 10,000 more units; and- GTECH - another UK home appliance and vacuum maker, is working to respond to the Government’s call for ventilator hardware. A request was received to build up to 30,000 ventilators. The company has developed a ventilator that can be made from parts easily obtained from abundant stock materials, or off-the-shelf pre-assembled parts. The company says that within a week or two it will be able to produce up to 100 units per day, if it can source steel fabrication and CNC machining suppliers.

Coronavirus: Protective Clothing

Taiwo Owatemi: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether there is a type of protective face mask that protects people from contracting covid-19; and what assessment his Department has made of whether face masks protect people from contracting covid-19.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 24 March 2020



The Government, informed by professionals, has published new guidance about personal protective equipment (PPE) for National Health Service teams who are likely to come into contact with patients with COVID-19. This is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-infection-prevention-and-controlThe guidance recommends the safest level of PPE to protect NHS healthcare workers and specifies the type of PPE that should be worn in the various healthcare settings.The World Health Organization recommends the use of FFP2 masks but the United Kingdom has gone further and recommends the use of FFP3 masks. However, we are clear that FFP2 have been approved by the WHO and can be used safely if necessary.Face masks play a very important role in clinical settings, such as hospitals, but there is very little evidence of widespread benefit from their use outside of these clinical settings. Facemasks must be worn correctly, changed frequently, removed properly and disposed of safely in order to be effective.

Alcoholic Drinks and Drugs: Rehabilitation

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure continuity of drug and alcohol treatment services during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 24 March 2020



Local authorities are responsible for assessing local needs and commissioning drug and alcohol prevention, treatment and harm reduction services to meet these needs. It is important that these services are maintained during the COVID-19 pandemic. Guidance to support commissioners and providers of services for people who use drugs and alcohol during the COVID-19 pandemic is being developed as of 2 April 2020 and will be published shortly.

Coronavirus: Yorkshire and the Humber

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to tackle the increase in covid-19 cases in Yorkshire.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 24 March 2020



The Government is responding to the outbreak of COVID-19 as a national issue and is actively implementing support plans across the nation.More information can be found at the following link:www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Coronavirus: Screening

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of increasing funding for mass testing for covid-19.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 24 March 2020



On 4 April 2020, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care advised that the Government will be adopting a testing strategy based on five pillars.This new national effort for testing will ensure everyone who needs testing will get it.Testing has already reached the Government’s ambition of 10,000 tests per day by the end of March as committed and have set a new challenge of 100,000 tests per day, by the end of April using this new tiered approach.More information can be found at the following link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/878121/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-strategy.pdf

Out-patients: Attendance

Emma Hardy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether high-risk people that are social distancing should still attend routine, non-urgent medical appointments.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 25 March 2020



We are advising those who are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 to be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures.We advise everyone to access medical assistance remotely, wherever possible. However, if individuals have a scheduled hospital or other medical appointment during this period, they should talk to their general practitioner or specialist to ensure they continue to receive the care they need and determine which appointments are absolutely essential.

Syringes

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure the supply of clean injecting equipment for people who use drugs to avoid the spread of blood-borne viruses durig the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 25 March 2020



Local authorities are responsible for commissioning drug prevention, treatment and harm reduction services for their local area. This includes the supply of clean injecting equipment for people who use drugs, for example through needle and syringe exchange programmes. Maintaining this supply during the COVID-19 outbreak will be one of their priorities.

Coronavirus: Hospital Beds

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with private hospital operators on the use of private hospital beds by the NHS at no cost to the public purse in the event that additional capacity is required to treat patients with covid-19.

Edward Argar: The Department and NHS England and NHS Improvement have worked with the independent sector to increase capacity and resource within the National Health Service, adding around 8,000 beds and 20,000 clinical staff. This will ensure that more facilities are available for patients diagnosed with COVID-19.Under the agreement, the independent sector will be reimbursed at cost.

Naloxone: Coronavirus

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to ensure that people who use drugs are provided with Naloxone in the event that access to health services is restricted due to demand during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 21 April 2020



Local authorities are responsible for assessing local needs and commissioning drug prevention, treatment and harm reduction services to meet these needs. This includes making sure they have sufficient coverage of take-home naloxone to prevent drug-related deaths.Local authorities will want to maintain their coverage of naloxone during the COVID-19 outbreak as an important measure to help protect people who use drugs. Public Health England will continue to support local authorities in their work of needs assessment and commissioning services by providing advice, guidance and data.

Coronavirus: Public Health

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to promote emotional wellbeing in the development of public health advice during the covid-19 outbreak.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Public Health England has published guidance for the public on how to look after mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 outbreak. The guidance can be viewed online at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-public-on-mental-health-and-wellbeing

Carers: Protective Clothing

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to make Personal Protective Equipment available to (a) family carers and (b) carers of people who self-fund their social care when looking after someone who is self-isolating due to covid-19.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Protective Clothing and Ventilators: EU Action

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the European Commission on UK participation in the EU scheme for joint procurement of ventilators and protective equipment for medical staff.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Infant Foods: Food Banks

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will enable food banks to distribute instant formula baby milk during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 21 April 2020



Food banks are independent charitable organisations and, as such, are best placed to decide on the most appropriate arrangements for supporting people who use them.Food banks already offer a wider range of goods depending on availability, which can include formula milk.The Healthy Start scheme provides vouchers for lower-income families which can be exchanged for fruit, vegetables, milk, infant formula and free vitamins.

Coronavirus: Disease Control

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has (a) forwarded to the British Society for Immunology and (b) received evidence that people who have recovered from covid-19 have long-term immunity to it.

Ms Nadine Dorries: There is a general medical consensus, based on scientific knowledge of other coronavirus infections, that after recovery from COVID-19 infection, people will have effective immunity. However, until more people have had the virus and recovered, and until we have performed studies of the long-term antibody response, it is currently unclear for how long this immunity will last. We will continue to monitor the science and evidence closely.

Coronavirus: Protective Clothing

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Department is taking to make personal protective equipment available to private companies during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: North West

Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with private healthcare providers in (a) the North West, (b) Merseyside and (c) Wirral on the NHS requisitioning private beds for use during the covid-19 outbreak.

Edward Argar: The Department and NHS England and NHS Improvement have worked with the independent sector on a national basis to increase capacity and resource within the National Health Service, adding around 8,000 beds and 20,000 clinical staff. This will ensure that more facilities across England are available for patients diagnosed with COVID-19.Under the agreement, the independent sector will be reimbursed at cost.

Coronavirus: Ventilators

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on what date the decision was made to approach British businesses for help producing ventilators in response to the covid-19 outbreak.

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on what date contact was first made with manufacturers to produce additional ventilators in response to covid-19.

Edward Argar: Work preparing the National Health Service for the COVID-19 pandemic has been ongoing and we have already nearly doubled ventilator capacity. New and existing suppliers are being asked to build as many as they can. The Prime Minister has issued a call to United Kingdom industry to produce additional ventilators and the Department asked appropriate potential manufacturers on 13 March to come forward with proposals for new ventilation machines. Around a dozen potential prototypes have now been presented to the Department which we are currently pursuing.

Coronavirus: Medical Equipment

Kate Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if the UK will join EU schemes to share medical equipment and advice throughout Europe during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Disease Control

Kate Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the UK is participating in information sharing exercises on covid-19 with other European countries.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Protective Clothing

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps have been taken to mobilise UK manufacturing to supply personal protective equipment to frontline workers dealing with the covid-19 response.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 21 April 2020



The Department are working closely with industry, the National Health Service, social care providers and the army to ensure that personal protective equipment (PPE) are delivered to staff. Industry has reported constraints on supply of new stocks of PPE due to increase in global demand and the impact of COVID-19 in China, one of the largest global manufacturers of PPE. The Department is working to manage demand and secure additional stocks to further enhance our preparedness. The Department have asked manufacturers to increase existing capacity. On Friday 20 March, industry were asked to switch manufacturing capability to produce high priority PPE items.Latest guidance on PPE can be found on the NHS website at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/publication/guidance-supply-use-of-ppe/

Health Services: Coronavirus

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will prioritise the testing of medical staff and their families during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Testing is a crucial part of the United Kingdom’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and we are working on multiple fronts to deliver additional testing capacity into the system.We are working hard to ensure we can adequately test for and respond to COVID-19. As part of this, we are ensuring we prioritise testing of the most acutely ill and vulnerable patients in hospitals.As additional testing capacity becomes available, the next priority group will be National Health Service staff and other key workers.

Coronavirus: Dental Services

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether dentists will be provided with personal protective equipment during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 21 April 2020



The Government is working to support and protect all our frontline health and care staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, including dentists. The Government is working closely with industry, the National Health Service, social care providers and the army to ensure that personal protective equipment (PPE) is delivered to those who need it.Guidance has been issued to NHS dentists on the provision of services and PPE by the Chief Dental Officer for England. Guidance is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/primary-care/dental-practice/Additionally, Public Health England issued updated PPE guidance to a range of health professionals, including dentists, on 2 April.

Coronavirus: Cleaning Services

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Minister for the Cabinet Office on whether cleaning staff are classed as key workers during the covid-19 response.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 21 April 2020



Guidance for schools, childcare providers, colleges and local authorities in England on maintaining educational provision published on 19 March sets out which workers are considered to be critical to the COVID-19 response.In relation to the health and social care sector the guidance makes clear that these workers include all front line, specialist and support staff and as well as those employed by contractors and suppliers to the health and social care system. This includes those who provide cleaning services to social care providers, the National Health Service, other health care provision, and to the contractors and suppliers of the wider sector. They all play a critical role in the tackling of this pandemic.

Coronavirus: Protective Clothing

Sarah Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has been made of the feasibility of requisitioning personal protective equipment from non-urgent use to meet the demands of frontline workers in the covid-19 response.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 21 April 2020



We have been giving the National Health Service and the social care sector everything they need to tackle this outbreak. We have delivered millions more items of personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline staff over the last few days to hospitals, ambulance trusts, general practitioner practices, pharmacists, care homes, home care providers and hospices. The full weight of the Government is behind this effort and we are working closely with industry, the NHS, social care providers and the army to ensure the right equipment is delivered to the right people. This includes working with all partners to reprioritise PPE for use on the frontline.

NHS: Protective Clothing

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much personal protective equipment the NHS (a) has and (b) plans on purchasing.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

General Practitioners: Hospitals

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to redeploy GPs from closed surgeries to work in local hospitals.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Hospitals

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what contractual terms his Department has agreed with providers of private hospitals being used for NHS purposes during the covid-19 outbreak.

Edward Argar: The Department and NHS England and NHS Improvement have worked with the independent sector to increase capacity and resource within the National Health Service, adding around 8,000 beds and 20,000 clinical staff. This will ensure that more facilities are available for patients diagnosed with COVID-19.Under the agreement, the independent sector will be reimbursed at cost.

Coronavirus: Screening

Stephanie Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to address variations in NHS trusts' ability to test for covid-19.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Government is working closely with NHS England and NHS Improvement and Public Health England to expand testing capability. We are working to ensure all National Health Service trusts have the ability and capacity to respond to demand.

Health Services: Protective Clothing

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase the supply of personal protective equipment to (a) primary care facilities and (b) GP staff.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

NHS: Coronavirus

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps are being taken to carry out mass covid-19 testing of NHS staff.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Medical Equipment

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he is having discussions with his counterparts in the EU on securing key medical equipment during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Screening

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether (a) his Department and (b) NHS Trusts have ordered covid-19 testing kits from Novacyt; and if he will make a statement.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre: Coronavirus

Jess Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will ensure that people who have recently been in contact with women at Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre who have become infected with covid-19 will be tested for that disease.

Ms Nadine Dorries: NHS England and NHS Improvement have advised that COVID-19 testing is only routinely being carried out on symptomatic patients arriving at hospital.This is in line with NHS England and NHS Improvement national policy to utilise tests and laboratory capacity for urgent hospitalised patients. The Government has confirmed a major national effort to boost testing capacity. With a focus on ensuring the highest priority cases are tested first, officials are working to rapidly increase the number of tests that can be conducted by Public Health England and the National Health Service in laboratories, with the expected surge in capacity ready within four weeks.

Immigrants: Detainees

Jess Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to identify individuals in detention with underlying health conditions; and if he will take steps to ensure that all people in detention are screened to determine whether they have a relevant condition that makes them vulnerable during the covid-19 outbreak.

Ms Nadine Dorries: NHS England and NHS Improvement have released patient data to the Heads of Healthcare across the secure and detained estate and to centre directors. This will mean that this patient cohort can be identified and protectively isolated and managed across establishments in the event of a confirmed positive case and any potential unconfirmed cases.

Coronavirus: Disease Control

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether each local authority in England is undertaking contact tracing to identify those who have been infected with covid-19; and how many (a) personnel are involved in carrying out that tracing and (b) close contacts have been (i) identified and (ii) traced in each local authority.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The local health protection teams and Public Health England (PHE) have been working 24 hours a day, seven days a week since mid-January to carry out contact tracing. As we are now in the delay phase of the COVID-19 response, PHE will continue to follow-up cases, outbreaks and high-risk individuals. The data are not available in the format requested. However, PHE has published a dashboard detailing the total number of cases in the United Kingdom. This is broken down by upper tier local authorities and National Health Service regions in England and can be viewed online at the following link:https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/f94c3c90da5b4e9f9a0b19484dd4bb14

Coronavirus: Disease Control

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion of close contacts of those who have been, or are suspected as having been, infected with covid-19 (a) are undergoing testing, (b) have tested positive and (c) have been isolated or quarantined in each local authority area.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The data regarding information on close contacts is not available in the format requested.The data on number of people tested and positive COVID-19 cases are updated daily and available to view at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

Coronavirus: Disease Control

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the study by Keeling et al. titled The Efficacy of Contact Tracing for the Containment of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), published in February 2020, whether he is ensuring rapid and effective contact tracing for covid-19.

Ms Nadine Dorries: In the containment phase of the COVID-19 response, the local health protection teams and Public Health England’s (PHE) Field Epidemiology Service carried out contact tracing from mid-January to early March. PHE scaled up its contact tracing response with staff from the field service, staff from local health protection teams and clinical staff additionally recruited. This action helped to delay community transmission, save lives and bought time for the National Health Service and country to prepare.

Health Professions: Disease Control

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many (a) consultants in communicable disease control and (b) community infection control nurses there are in each location by local authority area.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Department does not hold the information requested.

Coronavirus: Screening

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which (a) public bodies and (b) companies are carrying out covid-19 testing; and what is the (i) sensitivity, (ii) specificity and (iii) cost of each those tests.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Delivery Services

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether (a) warehouse and (b) delivery staff are classified as key workers during the covid-19 outbreak.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Screening

Dr Dan Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to develop antibody testing for covid-19.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Testing is a crucial part of the United Kingdom’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Government is working on multiple fronts to deliver additional testing capacity into the system. On 4 April 2020, the Government published its testing strategy 'Coronavirus (COVID-19) Scaling up our testing programmes'. The strategy describes in detail the five pillars of work which together will put in place the testing that is mission critical as we fight the battle against COVID-19. The Government is also currently evaluating antibody tests. These tests could be home-based tests that could allow people to find out whether they have had the virus and are now immune, enabling them to go back to work. However, before these tests can be deployed, further work will be conducted to ensure that the antibody tests currently available are capable of this.

Coronavirus: Pharmacy

Judith Cummins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps are being taken to help community pharmacies handle increased patient walk-ins as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

NHS: Telephone Services

Peter Kyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to make operational the NHS telephone helpline for the 1.5 million most at-risk people who have been told to stay at home during the covid-19 outbreak.

Edward Argar: From 21 March, letters were sent out from general practices to the 1.5 million people considered to be most medically at-risk from COVID-19, informing them that they should stay at home and avoid all face-to-face contact for a period of at least 12 weeks.The Government have set up a National Shielding Helpline, which is a support service that will contact those who have received letters but not responded by telephone to ensure that their food and wellbeing support needs are being met. The helpline makes outbound calls only and does not accept inbound calls. This is already operational.On 1 April 2020, NHS England published Frequently Asked Questions for patients at highest clinical risk from COVID-19 which is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/20200402-FAQs-Patients-vFINAL.pdf

Drugs: Misuse

Royston Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people attended (a) A&E and (b) GP surgeries as a result of illegal drug use in 2018-19.

Edward Argar: The number of people who attended accident and emergency and general practitioner surgeries as a result of illegal drug use is not recorded centrally.

Coronavirus: Kidney Diseases

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to prioritise testing for covid-19 for patients who are in receipt of dialysis treatment.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Dental Services

Ben Everitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what financial support the Government plans to provide to NHS dental practices to allow them to follow new Chief Dental Officer guidance issued as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 21 April 2020



NHS England and NHS Improvement issued guidance setting out arrangements for National Health Service dental care during the pandemic period and the financial support being put in place for NHS dental contract holders and those working on NHS dental contracts. The intention is that as far as possible remuneration levels are unaffected. The full guidance is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/issue-3-preparedness-letter-for-primary-dental-care-25-march-2020.pdf

Kidneys: Donors

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent estimate he has made of the number of kidney organ donors that develop health problems after donating a kidney.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Mental Health Services

Dr Luke Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that patients with mental health issues are regularly reviewed and supported during the covid-19 outbreak.

Ms Nadine Dorries: It is imperative that mental health services continue to offer access to mental health support, including for people who are already accessing. Mental health providers are part of their local emergency preparedness and response hubs. They are working closely with colleagues in social care, education, substance misuse, the police and the voluntary sector to ensure that vulnerable patients get the support they need. NHS England and NHS Improvement are holding weekly information and update sessions with mental health service providers to support the implementation of local Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans. These plans include meeting needs by managing fluctuations in demand.

Coronavirus: Disease Control

Dr Rupa Huq: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has been made of the potential effect of social distancing on the mental health and wellbeing of (a) people with pre-existing health conditions and (b) others during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Government recognises that social distancing and self-isolation are likely to increase the risk of loneliness and mental health issues. To respond to this Public Health England has published guidance advising the public on how to look after their mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus outbreak. We have set up NHS Volunteer Responders to help support the 1.5 million people in England who are at most risk from the virus to stay well. Mental health providers are looking to maximise the use of digital and virtual channels, such as helplines and video consultations, to keep delivering support to those needing mental health support. We have provided £5 million additional funding to mental health charities providing mental health and wellbeing support to those who need it.

Eating Disorders: Medical Treatments

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that people with a healthy BMI are not denied treatment for an eating disorder.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline on ‘Eating disorders: recognition and treatment’ makes it clear that a person’s Body Mass Index is just one of the factors that should be taken into account to determine whether to offer treatment for an eating disorder, but that it should not be used on its own. The Eating Disorder Commissioning Guide, published by NHS England, is clear that people should not be rejected for treatment solely on the grounds of weight or Body Mass Index. We expect commissioners and providers to adhere to this guidance.

Health Professions: Coronavirus

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of psychological support and resources available to doctors and nurses in primary care.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Health Professions: Coronavirus

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has plans to make available additional (a) funding and (b) resources to ensure that NHS (i) doctors and (ii) nurses are able to access psychological support during the covid-19 outbreak.

Helen Whately: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Protective Clothing: Cumbria

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what (a) type and (b) amount of personal protective equipment will be delivered to each (i) hospital, (ii) GP surgery and (iii) care home in Cumbria; and when those deliveries will take place.

Jo Churchill: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Coronavirus: Intensive Care

Meg Hillier: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of whether there was any scenario used in routine pandemic planning where the number of critical beds would meet increased demand.

Edward Argar: Planning for pandemics, like all civil emergencies, is based on a Reasonable Worst-Case Scenario (RWCS). The UK Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Strategy 2011 sets out a United Kingdom-wide strategic approach to planning for and responding to the demands of a future RWCS scale influenza pandemic within which 50% of the population become ill.The 2011 Strategy recognises that, without mitigation, critical care capacity might be insufficient in some scenarios. Influenza pandemic preparedness is therefore based on a ‘defence in depth’ strategy to minimise spread of infection and treat individual cases. In addition to plans to surge National Health Service provision, including critical care, this includes measures to reduce the demand on those NHS services by reducing the risk of transmission and minimising serious illness.

Coronavirus: Intensive Care

Meg Hillier: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he was notified that the number of critical care beds would be inadequate to deal with the predicted number of cases of covid-19.

Edward Argar: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Medical Equipment: Business

Meg Hillier: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on what dates his Department approached businesses to produce more ventilators for the NHS between 1 December 2019 and 24 March 2020.

Edward Argar: Work preparing the National Health Service has been ongoing and we have already doubled ventilator capacity. New and existing suppliers are being asked to build as many as they can. The Prime Minister has issued a call to United Kingdom industry to produce additional ventilators and the Department asked appropriate potential manufacturers on Friday 13 March to come forward with proposals for ramping up the production of existing designs or new ventilation machines.Nearly 4,000 companies have responded and around a dozen potential prototypes have now been presented to the Department which we are currently pursuing.

Hospitals: ICT

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions his Department has had with technology companies on the donation of (a) mobile phones and (b) tablets to hospitals to enable patients dying from covid-19 without access to technological devices to communicate with their families.

Ms Nadine Dorries: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Department for International Development

CDC: Fossil Fuels

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Answer of 26 February 2020 to Question 18886 on CDC: Fossil Fuels, what the (a) original investment value was and (b) current net asset value is for CDC's investment in (i) Albatros Energy, (ii) Proton Energy, (iii) Simba Oil Ltd, (iv) SODEP and (v) Uquo Integrated Gas Business (Accugas).

James Duddridge: The total amount invested across the five investments specified in the question was $5.2 million. The total net asset value, as of 31 December 2019, had risen to $6.2 million.CDC publishes the amounts it invests directly into businesses and investment funds on its website www.cdcgroup.com. It does not disclose individual valuations as these are commercially sensitive.

Kurdistan: Coronavirus

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether his Department plans to supply medical equipment to the Kurdistan Regional Government to help tackle the covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement.

James Cleverly: The UK has announced up to £744 million of aid funding to support the global efforts to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, including support to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and to the UN system to protect the most vulnerable.Through the UN Supply Chain Taskforce, WHO is leading efforts to understand the availability, distribution and forecasting of crucial response commodities throughout the world. We are supporting these efforts to assess the levels of needs and preparedness across Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and working with multilateral partners including the UN, World Bank and International Monetary Fund to support the response.

Palestinians: Coronavirus

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of the capacity of the Palestinian health sector to respond to the covid-19 pandemic.

James Cleverly: The UK is providing vital support to help respond to COVID-19 in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Our $1 million funding contribution will enable the World Health Organisation and UNICEF to purchase and co-ordinate the delivery of medical equipment, treat critical care patients, train frontline public health personnel and scale up laboratory testing capacity.The UN assesses that although the current number of detected cases remains relatively low, the capacity of the Palestinian health system to cope with an expected increase in COVID-19 cases is poor. The situation is particularly severe in Gaza, where the health system has shortages in specialised staff, drugs and equipment. We continue to monitor the situation and are working closely with the UN and the international community to ensure a co-ordinated response

Palestinians: Coronavirus

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of the covid-19 pandemic on levels of health in Palestinian refugee camps (a) in Lebanon and (b) throughout the Middle East.

James Cleverly: The UK recognises the United Nations Relief and Works Agency’s (UNRWA) unique mandate to provide protection and core services to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon Jordan and Syria. In 2019/20 the UK has committed £65.5 million to UNRWA, matching our 2018 contribution. Overcrowded living conditions, physical and mental stress and years of protracted conflict make the population of over 5.6 million Palestine refugees across the Middle East particularly vulnerable. UNRWA is supporting the delivery of national pandemic response plans and has put in place a range of measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to treat patients with symptoms, working in cooperation with WHO and other partners.

Overseas Aid: Coronavirus

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether her Department plans to respond to the UN Relief and Works Agency’s flash appeal for an emergency response to the covid-19 outbreak.

James Cleverly: The UK is a long-term supporter of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA), committing £65.5 million in 2019/20. Our funding contributes to UNRWA’s provision of health services for more than 3 million Palestinian refugees across the region. These services will play a key role in helping contain and address the spread of COVID-19. We continue to monitor the situation closely and are working closely with UNRWA and the international community to ensure a co-ordinated response to COVID-19.

Iran: Coronavirus

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether her Department plans to provide support to Iran for their covid-19 outbreak.

James Cleverly: On 3 March the UK, jointly with E3 partners (Germany and France), announced a comprehensive €5 million package of both material and financial support to combat the rapid spread of COVID-19 in Iran. The UK component of this support consists of a £2 million contribution to the World Health Organisation (WHO) for its work in Iran. This was made on 17 March and will pay for medical equipment, including laboratory items and protective kit, as well as an uplift in staffing.

Gaza: Coronavirus

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department has made of the (a) availability and (b) adequacy of (i) medical and (ii) sanitation supplies required in response to an outbreak of covid-19 in Gaza.

James Cleverly: The UK is providing vital support to help respond to COVID-19 in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Our $1 million funding contribution will enable the World Health Organisation and UNICEF to purchase and co-ordinate the delivery of medical equipment, treat critical care patients, train frontline public health personnel and scale up laboratory testing capacity.The UN assesses that although the current number of detected cases remains relatively low, the capacity of the Palestinian health system to cope with an expected increase in COVID-19 cases is poor. The situation is particularly severe in Gaza, where the health system has shortages in specialised staff, drugs and equipment. We continue to monitor the situation and are working closely with the UN and the international community to ensure a co-ordinated response.

UNRWA: Coronavirus

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment her Department has made of the capacity of the UN Relief and Works Agency to respond to healthcare needs arising from the covid-19 outbreak.

James Cleverly: The UK recognises the United Nations Relief and Works Agency’s (UNRWA) unique mandate to provide protection and core services to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon Jordan and Syria. In 2019/20 the UK has provided £65.5 million to UNRWA, matching our 2018 contribution. UNRWA has 3,300 staff working in 144 health centres who are responding to the pandemic and ensuring that Palestinian refugees continue to have access to quality health care services. UNRWA is supporting the delivery of national pandemic response plans and has put in place a range of measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to treat patients with symptoms, working in cooperation with WHO and other partners.

Integrated Security, Defence and Foreign Policy Review: Coronavirus

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions she has had with (a) the Prime Minister and (b) other Cabinet colleagues on postponing the Integrated Review of foreign policy, defence, security and international development in response to the covid-19 outbreak.

Wendy Morton: The Prime Minister has directed that work on the Integrated Review should now be formally paused across Whitehall. This is due to the pressing need to focus on COVID-19, which will, of course, have significant international implications. We will provide an update on timing once it is clearer how and when we will be able to resume full work on the Review.

Humanitarian Aid: Coronavirus

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what additional humanitarian support her Department is providing to (a) the elderly, (b) women and girls and (c) refugees and internally displaced people in countries affected by covid-19 that (i) have weak public health systems and (ii) are affected by conflict.

James Cleverly: The UK is at the forefront of the international response to COVID-19, our £744 million commitment to tackling this pandemic makes us one of the largest donors globally.The weakness of developing countries’ healthcare systems is one of the principal risks to the global spread of the virus. Countries experiencing conflict and humanitarian crises are those least able to cope. Vulnerable groups – including the elderly, people with disabilities, women and girls and displaced people – are particularly at risk.We are already strengthening fragile health services in the world’s poorest countries by ensuring that our aid targets those who are most vulnerable, based on their needs. This includes supporting countries to integrate the needs of refugees and Internally Displaced People in their response to the crisis.We are funding the UN’s Population Fund to support the most vulnerable women and girls and the International Committee of the Red -Cross to reach people in the most fragile regions of the world. UK aid is, for example, helping to install new hand-washing stations, isolation and treatment centres in refugee camps as well as increase access to clean water for those living in areas of armed conflict.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Bambos Charalambous: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether she is taking steps to use the expertise and infrastructure established under (a) the IAVI organisation and (b) other Product Development Partnerships to expedite the development and roll-out of a covid-19 vaccine to (i) vulnerable groups in low- and middle-income countries and (ii) other people.

James Duddridge: DFID is working to maximise the development of and roll out of an effective COVID-19 vaccine that is affordable and accessible to low- and middle- income countries. The Prime Minister recently announced an additional £210 million of new UK aid funding to the International Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to help develop a vaccine for COVID-19. The UK is now the biggest contributor to CEPI, committing £250 million this year to support the global effort to fight epidemic diseases, including coronavirus. DFID is currently exploring with existing partners, including IAVI and other Product Development Partnerships, on how they too might contribute to our efforts to combat COVID-19.

Overseas Aid: Coronavirus

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to support frontline organisations in the global south which are tackling the (a) spread and (b) consequences of the covid-19 outbreak.

Wendy Morton: The UK is using our foreign aid budget and British expertise to stop the spread of the global coronavirus outbreak, find a vaccine and save lives around the world. We have so far pledged £744milion of UK aid to help end this pandemic as quickly as possible.DFID is engaging with supply partners to address the challenges posed to them and their projects by COVID-19. We will work collaboratively with supply partners to find pragmatic solutions to support both our partners and continuation of our programmes where appropriate.The COVID-19 response will continue to develop rapidly and we are assessing and monitoring the overall financial health of supply partners to identify organisations we believe are at risk due to COVID-19.We will deliver a comprehensive COVID-19 response through programming to support the global health and economic response, funding for vaccine development, preparing for the recovery phase and leadership within the international community.

Overseas Aid: Developing Countries

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether she is taking steps to establish an emergency fund to support organisations delivering projects in the global south which have cash-flow problems.

Wendy Morton: DFID is engaging with supply partners to address the challenges posed to them and DFID-funded projects by COVID-19. We will work collaboratively with supply partners to find pragmatic solutions to support both our partners and continuation of our programmes where appropriate.The COVID-19 response will continue to develop rapidly and we are assessing and monitoring the overall financial health of supply partners to identify organisations we believe are at risk due to COVID-19.We will deliver a comprehensive COVID-19 response through programming to support the global health and economic response, funding for further vaccine development, preparing for the recovery phase and leadership within the international community.

Israel: Palestinians

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to the Answer of 18 July 2017 to Question 3942 on Israel: Palestinians, what initiatives have the £3 million been allocated to help Israelis and Palestinians to work together.

James Cleverly: Our People to People programme aimed to bring together Israelis and Palestinians to cooperate on issues that can have a positive impact on both communities, helping to build understanding between people on both sides of the conflict in support of a peaceful, negotiated resolution.Our £3 million three-year (2017-2020) programme facilitated interaction between youth leaders, religious communities and within the health sector. It:helped tackle a neglected tropical disease (Leishmaniasis) through cooperation between health academics and senior health workers for the wellbeing of both populations.facilitated discussion and activity between young people on reducing interreligious tensions around holy sites.brought together young leaders from different professional, political and religious backgrounds to identify future areas for co-operation.

Humanitarian Aid: Coronavirus

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent steps her Department is taking to tackle the humanitarian consequences of the covid-13 outbreak.

Wendy Morton: The UK is helping to lead the global response to COVID-19, working with our international partners to stop its spread. We are using UK aid to its full effect to counter the health, humanitarian, and economic risks and impact of this pandemic in the developing world. The UK has, so far, pledged £744 million of UK aid to help end this pandemic as quickly as possible and tackle its humanitarian consequences.The UK strongly supports the United Nation’s Global Humanitarian Response Plan to tackle COVID-19. Our latest UK aid funding of £200 million, announced on 12 April, will back humanitarian organisations to help reduce mass infections in developing countries which often lack the healthcare systems to track and halt the virus. This includes £130 million to UN agencies in response to their COVID-19 humanitarian appeals.By preventing the virus from spreading in the poorest countries we will save lives and reduce the risk of future waves of infection spreading around the world, including to the UK.

Overseas Aid: Coronavirus

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to support civil society organisations in countries affected by covid-19.

Wendy Morton: DFID is speaking with all its partners, including civil society organisations, to understand and help address the challenges posed to them and their work by COVID-19. We are working collaboratively and flexibly with these partners to find pragmatic solutions and are committed to continuing our work with the sector to reach the poorest and most vulnerable.

Foreign Aid: Coronavirus

Mike Hill: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that covid-19-related medical aid from the UK and its allies is reaching (a) countries under international (i) sanctions and (ii) embargoes and (b) other countries in need of help.

Wendy Morton: The UK is helping to lead the global response to COVID-19, working with our international partners to stop its spread. UK aid is countering the health, humanitarian, and economic risks and impacts of this pandemic in the developing world. We are working hard to ensure that our help reaches those most in need through close collaboration with our partners. The UK has, to date, pledged £744 million of UK aid to help end this pandemic as quickly as possible. Alongside our aid funding we are working closely with international partners, as combatting COVID-19 requires a transparent, robust, coordinated, large-scale and science-based global response.Our funding is supporting a range of initiatives and partners to ensure that it can reach those who need it the most. This includes support to the United Nation’s Global Humanitarian Response Plan to tackle COVID-19 and help to the most vulnerable across the globe.Our latest UK aid announcement on 12 April of £200 million, is supporting humanitarian organisations to help reduce mass infections in developing countries that often lack the healthcare systems to track and halt the virus. This includes £130 million to UN agencies in response to their COVID-19 humanitarian appeals.The UK government is also working with Unilever to fund a £100 million global programme to urgently tackle the spread of COVID-19. It will reach up to a billion people worldwide, raising awareness and changing behaviour, to make sure people are washing their hands with soap regularly and disinfecting surfaces. The programme will also provide over 20 million hygiene products in the developing world, including in areas where there is little or no sanitation.By preventing the virus from spreading in the poorest countries we will save lives and reduce the risk of future waves of infection spreading around the world, including to the UK.

Coronavirus: International Cooperation

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to the covid-19 pandemic, what discussions he is having with his G20 counterparts on agreeing a global deal for (a) affordable health care for people affected by covid-19, (b) collaborating on a vaccination for that disease and (c) ensuring that jobs are protected.

Wendy Morton: The UK is engaging with the World Health Organisation and other international partners, including G20 counterparts, to contain COVID-19 and mitigate secondary health and socio-economic impacts.We have committed up to £744 million of UK aid to combat COVID-19 and to reinforce the global effort to find a vaccine. This includes helping developing countries manage the crisis by supporting the operations of the UN, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, as well as the provision of expert advice; supporting the International Monetary Fund to relieve debt servicing pressures on countries struggling with the virus; and supporting international scientific efforts to develop diagnosis tests and vaccines.G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors recently collectively committed to do whatever is needed to restore confidence and economic growth and to protect jobs, businesses, and the resilience of the financial system.

Developing Countries: Coronavirus

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to provide financial support to (a) workers and (b) farmers in the Global South that supply goods to the UK and other countries affected by covid-19.

James Duddridge: We are engaging with businesses in the UK and in developing countries to understand the challenges they face with respect to protecting incomes and livelihoods in their supply chains. As a leading shareholder and donor to the Multilateral Development Banks, we have been working them to ensure that they are providing much needed working capital to the small businesses and supply chains that workers and farmers depend on in developing countries. We are exploring how DFID’s private sector development finance programmes can respond and complement this support. For example, CDC, the UK’s development finance institution, continues to invest in businesses across Africa and South Asia to support jobs. The UK also currently supports social protection programmes to assist the most vulnerable in more than 25 countries. In response to COVID-19 we are providing expert advice to governments and international partners to assess how and where social protection could be best used to support an efficient, coordinated response.

Yemen: Coronavirus

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the capacity of the healthcare system in Yemen to (a) help prevent and (b) respond to the spread of covid-19 in that country.

James Cleverly: Following the confirmation that Covid-19 is now present in Yemen, we are extremely concerned by the capacity of the healthcare system in Yemen to prevent and respond to a severe outbreak of COVID-19. Only half of Yemen’s health facilities are currently functioning and almost 20 million people lack access to basic healthcare.In response to concerns about the healthcare system’s capacity, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) are providing vital equipment across the country, including testing supplies, personal protective equipment and ventilators. Last year, the UK provided £240 million in response to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, with over £42 million supporting the UNICEF. We also recently announced an extra £10 million to the WHO globally, to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak in developing countries and we will consider providing additional COVID-19 support to Yemen should further funding be required.

Yemen: Coronavirus

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to help strengthen the capacity of the health care system in Yemen to respond to the spread of covid-19 in that country.

James Cleverly: The UK has been supporting the health system in Yemen during the five-year conflict and has funded over 4.7 million medical consultations and 2.6 million vaccines since 2017. Last year, the UK provided £240 million in response to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, with over £42 million supporting United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).We continue to engage closely with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF who are providing vital equipment across the country, including testing supplies, personal protective equipment and ventilators. The UK also recently announced an extra £10 million to the WHO globally, to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak in developing countries and we will consider additional COVID-19 support to Yemen should further funding be required.

Developing Countries: Coronavirus

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions she has had with the IMF on supporting developing countries experiencing the economic effect of the covid-19 outbreak.

James Duddridge: The department is working closely with HM Treasury to ensure that the IMF continues to play its critical role at the centre of the global financial safety net, including supporting the poorest and most vulnerable countries to respond to the economic costs of the COVID19 pandemic.The UK has been pressing for improvements to the IMF’s existing toolkit, such as increasing the access limits on the IMF’s emergency financing instruments, which was agreed by the IMF Board on 7 April. The details of this can be found here: https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Policy-Papers/Issues/2020/04/09/Enhancing-the-Emergency-Financing-Toolkit-Responding-To-The-COVID-19-Pandemic-49320?cid=em-COM-123-41385DFID is providing up to £150 million as the UK contribution to the IMF Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust, to support the poorest developing countries with debt relief to support public finances during this crisis. The IMF recently announced the first tranche of support through this Trust will be disbursed to 25 countries. We will continue to engage with the IMF to ensure that it can effectively support vulnerable countries during this unprecedented global health and economic crisis, and has adequate resources to meet the needs of developing countries. The Chancellor has announced an additional GBP 2.2 billion of UK loan resources for the IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust, which provides concessional lending to developing countries.

Developing Countries: Coronavirus

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment her Department made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on (a) employment, (b) wages, and (c) farmer income in the global south.

James Duddridge: DFID is working together with international organisations and other partners to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economies of developing countries, including on the most vulnerable workers, including farmers. We are drawing on modelling by the International Labour Organisation and our knowledge of prior crises.

Department for Education

Nurseries: Coronavirus

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to support private nurseries that are facing a loss of revenue as a result of restrictions implemented during the covid-19 outbreak to maintain places.

Vicky Ford: The government has set out specific measures to support childcare providers, including:Funding for the government’s early years entitlements will continue being paid to local authoritiesNurseries being among the businesses eligible for a business rates holiday for one year from 1 April Childcare providers will also benefit from the wider measures the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced to support the people and businesses of the UK:A three-point plan announced in the Budget providing £12 billion of support for public services, individuals and businesses whose finances are affected by the outbreakA package to provide additional support for businesses and individuals totalling £350 billionThe Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to help firms continue to keep people in employment. This means that businesses can put workers on temporary leave and the government will pay them cash grants of 80% of their wages up to a cap of £2,500, providing they keep the worker employedThe Self-Employed Income Support Scheme to enable those eligible to receive a cash grant worth 80% of their average monthly trading profit over the last three years. More details on the support available are included in the latest guidance for early years settings, which can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closureshttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care.We continue to work closely with the early years sector and remain committed to doing all we can to support childcare providers through this uncertain period. We will publish further guidance where appropriate.

Children: Day Care

Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to mitigate staff shortages in (a) children’s homes and (b) urgent children’s care services as a result of covid-19.

Vicky Ford: Ensuring that vulnerable children remain protected is a top priority for the government. Local authorities have the key day-to-day responsibility for delivery of children’s social care and we are working closely with them to ensure stability of services for our most vulnerable children.£1.6 billion of additional funding is being provided to support local authorities address any pressures they are facing in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including in providing children’s social care.We recognise the extraordinary pressures on staffing across children’s homes and the difficult decisions providers are making to keep homes operating safely. We understand children’s homes are working closely with their local authorities on continuity plans for staff shortages at a local level and we are working closely with representative bodies to understand and monitor pressures, considering what further support we can provide.In regards to social work, through the Coronavirus Act, we have taken powers to bring previously registered social workers onto the register of social workers held by the regulator, Social Work England, and have launched ‘Social Work Together’ to allow social workers to register their interest in returning to practice and to match them with employers. We are also looking to give local authorities additional flexibilities to meet the challenges of dealing with coronavirus.The latest guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-childrens-social-care-services.

Children: Social Services

Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether it his policy that children’s social care workers on temporary contracts who are not eligible for sick pay be paid in the event that they self-isolate as a result of suspected covid-19.

Vicky Ford: Local authorities have the day-to-day responsibility for their child and family social care workforce and for the delivery of children’s social care including the terms and conditions of their employees. We are working closely with them to support their social care workforce, to provide stability of services for our most vulnerable children. £1.6 billion of additional funding is being provided to support local authorities address any pressures they are facing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including in children’s social care. We are working with the sector, the Treasury and other government departments to assess COVID-19 related cost pressures on local authorities arising from children’s social care. We are also closely monitoring what’s happening on the ground, to help ensure social care workers get the support they need every step of the way in the weeks and months ahead. More generally, the government has announced a significant package of temporary measures for those who may be unable to work. This includes a £20 per week increase to the Universal Credit standard allowance and Working Tax Credit basic element and nearly a £1 billion increase in support for renters through increases to the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimants. Taken together, these measures and those announced at Budget provide over £6.5 billion additional support through the welfare system for people affected by COVID-19. These changes will benefit all new and existing claimants. Anyone can check their eligibility and apply for Universal Credit by visiting the GOV.UK website: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/what-youll-get.

Children: Day Care

Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what respite care his Department is planning to provide for (a) lone parents and (b) carers looking after children with special needs or disabilities who may not be able to care for their child if they contract covid-19.

Vicky Ford: The Department for Education has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Children: Coronavirus

Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to ensure children on the at-risk register are fully supported by professional staff throughout the covid-19 outbreak.

Vicky Ford: Ensuring that vulnerable children remain protected is a top priority for government. Local authorities have the key day-to-day responsibility for delivery of children’s social care and we are working closely with them to ensure stability of services for our most vulnerable children.£1.6 billion of additional funding is being provided to support local authorities address any pressures they are facing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including for delivering children’s social care.In addition, through the Coronavirus Act 2020 we have taken powers to bring previously registered social workers onto the register of social workers held by the regulator, Social Work England. Alongside this we have launched the Social Work Together programme. Information about this is available at www.socialworkengland.org.uk/news/social-work-together/.The Government have also published guidance to local authorities accessible at www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-childrens-social-care-services.

Children: Social Services

Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is undertaking to ensure that children’s social care workers who have no recourse to public funds restrictions on their passports will be able to access Government assistance in the event that they need to self-isolate and are unable to work during the covid-19 outbreak.

Vicky Ford: The government has introduced a range of measures to provide assistance for those affected by COVID-19, including those with no recourse to public funds (NRPF). COVID-19 has been added to the list of communicable diseases so anyone experiencing symptoms, regardless of their immigration status, will be treated for free. Eligible individuals with NRPF can also benefit from the unprecedented levels of support the government is now also providing through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. The government has also extended Statutory Sick Pay to be payable from Day 1 rather than Day 4 and made Contributory Employment and Support Allowance available from the first day of sickness rather than the eighth, subject to other eligibility criteria.

Children: Day Care

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether (a) childminders and (b) other childcare providers outside of formal nursery settings will be required to provide childcare to critical workers and parents of vulnerable children during the covid-19 pandemic.

Vicky Ford: To limit the chance of the COVID-19 spreading, the government has asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and asked education settings to remain open only for children of critical workers and the most vulnerable. This applies to Ofsted-registered childcare settings, including childminders, nurseries and wraparound childcare and clubs (before and after school, and holiday care). Guidance for early years settings is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures.

Children: Day Care

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what childcare provision early years settings will provide for pre-school children who are vulnerable or whose parents are critical workers during the covid-19 outbreak; and whether there will be changes to the regulations on (a) qualifications of staff and (b) staff to child ratios.

Vicky Ford: Early years and childcare settings, including childminders, nurseries and wraparound childcare and clubs (before- and after- school and holiday care) remain open for children who are vulnerable or whose parents are critical workers. Guidance for early years providers is available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework welfare and safeguarding requirements still apply, including qualifications of staff and staff to child ratios. However, we are amending the regulations that will allow for the temporary lifting/modifying of a small number of requirements within the EYFS. The EYFS already allows for ratio flexibility in exceptional circumstances. For the qualification requirements providers will be able to use reasonable endeavours to ensure that at least half of staff (excluding the manager) hold at least a full and relevant Level 2 qualification to meet staff:child ratio requirements, but this will not be a legal requirement. In maintained nursery schools and nursery classes in maintained schools caring for children aged three and over, settings should use their reasonable endeavours to ensure that at least one member of staff is a school teacher. Where this is not possible settings will be able to have one member of staff for every eight children, at least one member of staff who holds at least a full and relevant level 3 qualification and providers should use their reasonable endeavours to ensure that at least half of other staff hold at least a full and relevant level 2 qualification.

Schools: Coronavirus

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans his Department has to ensure that young people maintain access to free period products whilst schools are shut as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Vicky Ford: The department introduced the Period Products Scheme to ensure that everyone has access to period products when they need them at school or college.During the COVID-19 outbreak, schools and colleges will be able to order products through the established route and distribute them to learners who need them.

Home Education: Coronavirus

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the covid-19 outbreak, what steps he is taking to ensure home-schooled pupils can obtain Key Stage 4 qualifications.

Nick Gibb: As my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, announced to the House on 18 March, the Government has taken the difficult decision to cancel all examinations due to take place in schools and colleges in England this summer, as part of the fight to prevent the spread of coronavirus.The Department’s priority is to ensure that students can move on as planned to the next stage of their lives, including starting university, college or sixth form courses, an apprenticeship or a job. For students at Key Stage 4 taking GCSEs and technical awards, we will ensure they are awarded a grade which reflects their work. Our intention is that a grade will be awarded this summer based on the best available evidence, including any non-examination assessment that students have completed. This will apply to home-schooled pupils and to other private candidates where the head of the examination centre is confident that they and their staff have seen sufficient evidence of students’ achievements to make objective judgements. If they wish to do so, home-schooled students and others will have the option to sit an examination as soon as is reasonably possible after the beginning of the academic year.Ofqual is urgently exploring whether there are alternative options for those students who do not have an existing relationship with an examination centre and who need results this summer for progression purposes. Ofqual published a consultation on the treatment of private candidates and other issues on 15 April.

Apprentices: Training

Emma Hardy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of allowing training providers to deliver apprenticeships via virtual classrooms.

Gillian Keegan: The government is committed to supporting apprentices and employers to continue to build the skills capabilities that the country needs now and in the future. We are working with training providers, end-point assessment organisations and external quality assurance organisations during this challenging time to maintain the integrity of apprenticeships and support employers and apprentices.We are encouraging training providers to deliver training to apprentices remotely and via e-learning as far as is practicable. We are allowing the modification of end-point assessment arrangements, including remote assessments wherever practicable and possible, to ensure that apprentices can continue to complete their apprenticeship, despite any break that they need to take as a result of Covid-19.Guidance issued on 23 March 2020 sets out how we are responding to the impact of Covid-19. It details the temporary flexibilities that we are introducing to the apprenticeship programme and provides answers to questions related to these changes. The guidance can be found on the GOV.UK website here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-apprenticeship-programme-response.We are keeping the guidance under review and will publish updates as the situation evolves.

Childminding: Coronavirus

Emma Hardy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the income of childminders; and what discussions he has had with the Chancellor on providing childminders with income protection.

Vicky Ford: The government has set out specific measures to support childcare providers during the COVID-19 outbreak:We will continue to pay funding to local authorities for the early years entitlements for 2, 3 and 4-year-oldsTo support private nurseries, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has also announced that they will be eligible for a business rates holiday for one year from 1 April. Childcare providers will also benefit from the wider measures the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced to support the people and businesses of the UK:A three-point plan announced in the Budget providing £12 billion of support for public services, individuals and businesses whose finances are affected by the outbreakA package to provide additional support for businesses and individuals totalling £350 billionThe Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to help firms continue to keep people in employment. This means that businesses can put workers on temporary leave and the government will pay them cash grants of 80% of their wages up to a cap of £2,500, providing they keep the worker employedA scheme to help the UK’s self-employed who are affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The new Self-Employed Income Support Scheme will enable those eligible to receive a cash grant worth 80% of their average monthly trading profit over the last three years. This covers 95% of people who receive the majority of their income from self-employmentOn 28 March, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, announced that the government will also temporarily suspend the wrongful trading provisions to give company directors greater confidence to use their best endeavours to continue trading during this pandemic emergency, without the threat of personal liability should the company ultimately fall into insolvency. The government is also providing the following additional support:deferral of Self-Assesment income tax payments due in July 2020VAT payments due with VAT returns between now and the end June 2020 will be deferred. UK VAT registered businesses will not need make those payments until March 2021grants for businesses that pay little or no business ratesincreased amounts of Universal Creditthe Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme. The latest guidance from the department for early years and childcare providers can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures.

Free School Meals: Coronavirus

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the proportion and number of children in receipt of free school meals who will not be attending school during the covid-19-related closures; and (b) what steps his Department is taking to ensure those children are provided with alternative meal provision.

Vicky Ford: Under the benefits-based criteria, there are currently around 1.3 million pupils eligible for and claiming a free school meal. The continuing provision of free school meals to children from out of work families or those on low incomes is of the utmost importance to this government. Where schools and other educational settings remain open for children of critical workers and vulnerable children, they will continue to provide free school meals to attending children who would normally receive them. We have published guidance explaining what schools should do to make sure eligible pupils have continued access to benefits-related free school meals where the pupil has to stay at home due to school closures. This guidance is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance-for-schools.

Higher Education: Coronavirus

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions his Department is having with universities and higher education providers to ensure that students who are unable to sit their exams for A-Levels and other qualifications as a result of school closures are able to access higher education in the next academic year.

Michelle Donelan: The calculated grades awarded this year will be formal grades, with the same status as grades awarded in any other year. The higher education sector has recognised this and is working with us to ensure that this year’s cohort of A-Level students are at no disadvantage when it comes to progression to university because of these unprecedented circumstances.Department officials are working closely with Ofqual, UCAS, Universities UK, the Office for Students and others to ensure that the admissions system functions as effectively and efficiently as possible during this unprecedented time.The latest guidance for schools and other educational settings can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-schools-and-other-educational-settings.

Children: Day Care

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what financial support the Government will provide to the childcare sector during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.

Vicky Ford: The government has set out specific measures to support childcare providers during the COVID-19 outbreak:We will continue to pay funding to local authorities for the early years entitlements for 2, 3 and 4-year-oldsTo support private nurseries, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has also announced that they will be eligible for a business rates holiday for one year from 1 April Childcare providers will also benefit from the wider measures the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced to support the people and businesses of the UK:A three-point plan announced in the Budget providing £12 billion of support for public services, individuals and businesses whose finances are affected by the outbreakA package to provide additional support for businesses and individuals totalling £350 billionThe Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to help firms continue to keep people in employment. This means that businesses can put workers on temporary leave and the government will pay them cash grants of 80% of their wages up to a cap of £2,500, providing they keep the worker employedA scheme to help the UK’s self-employed who are affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The new Self-Employed Income Support Scheme will enable those eligible to receive a cash grant worth 80% of their average monthly trading profit over the last three years. This covers 95% of people who receive the majority of their income from self-employmentOn 28 March, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, announced that the government will also temporarily suspend the wrongful trading provisions to give company directors greater confidence to use their best endeavours to continue trading during this pandemic emergency, without the threat of personal liability should the company ultimately fall into insolvency The government is also providing the following additional support:deferral of Self-Assesment income tax payments due in July 2020VAT payments due with VAT returns between now and the end June 2020 will be deferred. UK VAT registered businesses will not need make those payments until March 2021grants for businesses that pay little or no business ratesincreased amounts of Universal Creditthe Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme The latest guidance from the department for early years and childcare providers can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures andhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care.

Free School Meals: Coronavirus

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if the vouchers offered to children eligible for free school meals during school closures will include support to cover the costs of breakfast.

Vicky Ford: We have developed a national scheme to provide supermarket vouchers for children eligible for free school meals who are not attending school. Schools who chose to participate will not have to pay for these vouchers as the costs for this scheme will be picked up centrally by the Department for Education. Schools will have received an email as of Tuesday 31 March which will allow them to access the portal.Schools are able to order a voucher to the value of £15 each week for every child eligible for benefits related free school meals who is not attending school. This is more generous than the weekly amount provided to schools for provision of free school meals, recognising that families will not buy in bulk and will therefore not be able to achieve the same economies of scale.Alongside our national approach to supporting free school meal pupils, we are committed to supporting schools and children who also benefit from our breakfast club programme. Our suppliers, Family Action along with Magic Breakfast, are in contact with schools on the programme and, where possible, are working closely with them to reach children who would normally receive a healthy breakfast at school.Full guidance on the national voucher scheme is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance-for-schools.

Schools: Coronavirus

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to support schools remaining open for vulnerable children and children whose parents are key workers during (a) the Easter holidays and (b) bank holidays.

Nick Gibb: Schools will continue to receive their budgets for the coming year, as usual, regardless of any periods of partial or complete closure. This will ensure that they are able to continue to pay their staff and meet their other regular financial commitments, as we move through these extraordinary times.The Department recognises that schools may face additional costs as a result of COVID-19. We have put in place a new process to reimburse schools for exceptional costs they may be facing. This includes support for pupils who are eligible for free school meals but cannot attend school and are not covered by the national voucher scheme, and additional premises costs for schools that remain open through the Easter holidays.The scheme will give schools the reassurances they need to enable them to concentrate on their vital role in supporting the nation through this crisis. Details of the scheme were published on 7 April and are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-schools/school-funding-exceptional-costs-associated-with-coronavirus-covid-19-for-the-period-march-to-july-2020.

Childminding: Coronavirus

Judith Cummins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to introduce financial support for childminders affected by the covid-19 outbreak.

Vicky Ford: The government has set out specific measures to support childcare providers during the COVID-19 outbreak:We will continue to pay funding to local authorities for the early years entitlements for 2, 3 and 4-year-oldsTo support private nurseries, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has also announced that they will be eligible for a business rates holiday for one year from 1 April Childcare providers will also benefit from the wider measures the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced to support the people and businesses of the UK:A three-point plan announced in the Budget providing £12 billion of support for public services, individuals and businesses whose finances are affected by the outbreakA package to provide additional support for businesses and individuals totalling £350 billionThe Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to help firms continue to keep people in employment. This means that businesses can put workers on temporary leave and the government will pay them cash grants of 80% of their wages up to a cap of £2,500, providing they keep the worker employedA scheme to help the UK’s self-employed who are affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The new Self-Employed Income Support Scheme will enable those eligible to receive a cash grant worth 80% of their average monthly trading profit over the last three years. This covers 95% of people who receive the majority of their income from self-employmentOn 28 March, my right hon.Friend, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, announced that the government will also temporarily suspend the wrongful trading provisions to give company directors greater confidence to use their best endeavours to continue trading during this pandemic emergency, without the threat of personal liability should the company ultimately fall into insolvency The government is also providing the following additional support:deferral of Self-Assesment income tax payments due in July 2020VAT payments due with VAT returns between now and the end June 2020 will be deferred. UK VAT registered businesses will not need make those payments until March 2021grants for businesses that pay little or no bussiness ratesincreased amounts of Universal Creditthe Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme The latest guidance from the department for early years and childcare providers can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures andhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care.

Nurseries: Coronavirus

Rosie Duffield: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department will underwrite losses incurred by private nurseries that have been mandated to stay open by Government during the covid-19 pandemic.

Vicky Ford: The government has set out specific measures to support childcare providers during the COVID-19 outbreak:We will continue to pay funding to local authorities for the early years entitlements for 2, 3 and 4-year-oldsTo support private nurseries, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has also announced that they will be eligible for a business rates holiday for one year from 1 April Childcare providers will also benefit from the wider measures the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced to support the people and businesses of the UK:A three-point plan announced in the Budget providing £12 billion of support for public services, individuals and businesses whose finances are affected by the outbreakA package to provide additional support for businesses and individuals totalling £350 billionThe Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to help firms continue to keep people in employment. This means that businesses can put workers on temporary leave and the government will pay them cash grants of 80% of their wages up to a cap of £2,500, providing they keep the worker employedA scheme to help the UK’s self-employed who are affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The new Self-Employed Income Support Scheme will enable those eligible to receive a cash grant worth 80% of their average monthly trading profit over the last three years. This covers 95% of people who receive the majority of their income from self-employmentOn 28 March, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, announced that the government will also temporarily suspend the wrongful trading provisions to give company directors greater confidence to use their best endeavours to continue trading during this outbreak, without the threat of personal liability should the company ultimately fall into insolvency. The government is also providing the following additional support:deferral of Self-Assesment income tax payments due in July 2020VAT payments due with VAT returns between now and the end June 2020 will be deferred. UK VAT registered businesses will not need make those payments until March 2021grants for businesses that pay little or no bussiness ratesincreased amounts of Universal Creditthe Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme The latest guidance from the department for early years and childcare providers can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures andhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care.

Education: Coronavirus

Emma Hardy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will guarantee programme income for (a) grant, (b) contracted and (c) other provider types until the end of the covid-19 outbreak.

Gillian Keegan: The Department for Education has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Basic Skills: Standards

Emma Hardy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make it his policy for the assessment of Functional Skills that where testing is not possible tutors are able to determine where a learner has achieved the requisite competency.

Gillian Keegan: On 9 April, the Department for Education and Ofqual published details in relation to the assessment approaches for vocational and technical qualifications. This sets out that learners due to take assessments for Functional Skills qualifications before the end of the summer will receive a calculated result.Further information is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/direction-issued-to-the-chief-regulator-of-ofqual.

Nurseries: Coronavirus

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support will be available to parents whose nurseries continue to charge them while the nursery is closed as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to ensure that parents that are required to pay childcare fees while caring for their children at home do not face financial hardship as a result of paying those fees and losing income due to the covid-19 outbreak.

Vicky Ford: We are working hard to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on all parts of our society, including individuals and business. Childcare providers have individual agreements with parents and therefore we urge all childcare providers to be reasonable and balanced in their dealings with parents, given the great uncertainty they will be facing too.We have announced that we will continue to pay funding to local authorities for the early years entitlements for 2, 3 and 4-year-olds, and private nurseries are eligible for a business rates holiday for one year from 1 April. Childcare providers will also be eligible for wider support measures announced by the government.Guidance for early years settings can be found at the following links:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures/coronavirus-covid-19-early-years-and-childcare-closures andhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-care.

Universities: Coronavirus

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has had discussions with the university sector on the potential for rent refunds for students leaving campuses following the suspension of teaching as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Michelle Donelan: The Department for Education has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Nurseries: Coronavirus

Rosie Duffield: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on flexibility for private nurseries that have been mandated to stay open during the covid-19 outbreak to allow their staff to go on furlough and then to bring them back into work should demand require it.

Vicky Ford: As both my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer have made clear, the Government will do whatever it takes to support people affected by COVID 19.Our latest guidance on financial support for education, early years and children’s social care is set out below:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-education-early-years-and-childrens-social-careThese are rapidly developing circumstances; we continue to keep the situation under review and will keep Parliament updated accordingly.

Schools: Coronavirus

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has for the continuation of the (a) School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme and (b) delivery of free sanitary products to schools whilst schools are closed during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.

Vicky Ford: We are currently working with officials at the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) to consider plans for the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme during this period and will provide more information shortly. The scheme is led by the DHSC and is managed by NHS Supply Chain. It is jointly funded by the DHSC and the Department for Education.Schools and colleges that continue operating throughout the COVID-19 outbreak will continue to be able to order products from the Period Products Scheme and distribute them to students who need them.

GCE A-level and GCSE: Assessments

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made of the (a) accuracy of predicted grades for (i) GCSEs and (ii) A-Levels and (b) potential effect of unconscious bias on those predicted grades in terms of (A) gender and (B) race.

Nick Gibb: This is a matter for Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation. I have asked its Chief Regulator, Sally Collier, to write to the hon. Member, and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Students: Loans

Kate Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether students will receive maintenance loans whilst their schools or colleges are closed during the covid-19 outbreak.

Michelle Donelan: The Student Loans Company (SLC) will make term 3 (summer term) tuition fee payments as scheduled and college students will continue to receive maintenance payments on the scheduled dates, whether or not campuses are closed or learning has been moved online.

Apprentices: Coronavirus

Karin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support the Government plans to provide (a) businesses and (b) the education sector to maintain apprenticeships during the covid-19 outbreak.

Gillian Keegan: We are working with training providers, end-point assessment organisations and external quality assurance organisations to support apprentices and employers during this challenging time.We are encouraging training providers to deliver training remotely and via e-learning as far as is practicable. We are also allowing the modification of end-point assessment arrangements, including remote assessments where possible, to ensure that apprentices can continue to complete their apprenticeships.We recognise that some apprentices may be unable to undertake training and that training providers may be unable to deliver it at present. We have therefore temporarily changed the funding rules to allow employers and training providers to initiate a break in learning of over 4 weeks, enabling apprenticeships to resume when it becomes possible to do so.On 23 March 2020, we issued guidance setting out how the apprenticeship programme is responding to the impact of Covid-19: www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-apprenticeship-programme-response. We are keeping the guidance under review and will publish updates as the situation evolves.The government has set out a comprehensive package of support for business which includes the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to help firms to keep people in employment: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses.

Children: Coronavirus

Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what contingency arrangements are in place for the care of (a) SEN children and (b) dependent children in the event that their parents are unable to care for them as a result of covid-19.

Vicky Ford: The welfare of all children and young people, including those with special educational needs or disabilities, and their parents or carers is a high priority for the government, especially during this period of uncertainty. We are working closely with colleagues across government to ensure that appropriate arrangements and support are in place for all department sectors – from the early years and childcare, to schools and children’s social care, and for vulnerable groups including children with special educational needs.We have given local authorities £1.6 billion of additional funding to help address the pressures arising from COVID-19. That includes funding to meet the costs of securing additional placements should that be needed. We are also considering what more can be done to increase the supply of foster care placements.We have published guidance on ongoing support for vulnerable children and children’s social care:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-vulnerable-children-and-young-peoplehttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-childrens-social-care-services

Care Leavers and Children in Care: Equality

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the equality implications of his Department's proposals on unregulated provision for children in care and care leavers for (a) disabled children and (b) children from black and minority ethnic communities; and whether his Department has plans to publish an equality impact assessment of those proposals.

Vicky Ford: As part of the current consultation on reforms to unregulated provision for children in care and care leavers the department is considering equality implications of the proposals. An equality impact assessment will be published as part of the government’s response to the consultation.

Free School Meals

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will set up a national scheme to provide additional funding for schools to provide meals or vouchers for pupils eligible for free school meals; and if he will make a statement.

Vicky Ford: The continuing provision of free school meals to children from out of work families or those on low incomes is of the utmost importance to this government. No child who would ordinarily receive a free school meal should go without due to school closures or having to self-isolate at home.We are encouraging schools to speak to their catering team or provider to see if they can prepare meals or food parcels that could be delivered to or collected by families, ensuring they are distributed in line with social distancing guidelines.If that is not possible, the department has launched a centrally-funded national voucher scheme to support schools. Guidance is available at the link below:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance-for-schools.We understand that other approaches, such as providing food parcels or purchasing vouchers for shops currently not included in the national scheme, may mean that schools incur additional expenses.Further guidance is available setting out how we will compensate schools who incur these additional costs: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-schools.

Students: Housing

Rosie Duffield: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will provide financial support to universities to establish hardship funds for students residing in (a) private rented and (b) university accommodation.

Michelle Donelan: The Department for Education has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Teachers: Coronavirus

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to protect  teachers from covid-19 infection whilst they look after the children of key workers during the covid-19 outbreak.

Nick Gibb: School leaders, teachers and support staff are central to the country’s response to coronavirus (COVID-19) and we thank them wholeheartedly for their support at this difficult time.It is important to underline that schools remain safe places for children and staff. Fewer people making the journey to school and fewer people in educational settings will reduce the risks of spreading the virus.The Government’s guidance on COVID-19 for educational settings is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19.Advice on implementing social distancing in education and childcare settings can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-social-distancing-in-education-and-childcare-settings.Public Health England’s advice about how to help stop the spread of the virus and stay safe is available here:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19.The Government is strongly advising people, including education staff, with serious underlying health conditions which put them at very high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 to follow shielding measures in order to keep themselves safe. Staff in this position must not attend work. More advice on shielding can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19.

Students: Coronavirus

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to help ensure students can continue to access student finance during the covid-19 outbreak.

Michelle Donelan: The Student Loans Company will continue to make scheduled tuition payments to providers for the remainder of the current, 2019/20, academic year.Students will also continue to receive scheduled payments of loans towards their living costs for 2019/20. Both tuition and living costs payments will continue irrespective of closures or whether learning has moved online.

Ministry of Justice

Jury Service: Coronavirus

Layla Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether front-line staff working in (a) the NHS, (b) education, (c) the police and (d) the food supply chain will be exempt from mandatory jury service during the covid-19 pandemic.

Chris Philp: At this time, the Government does not expect frontline emergency services staff, including those in the NHS, Police and Fire Service to be serving on juries.Anyone in these groups, or any Key Worker working in education, the food supply chain or in any other frontline role who is summoned for jury service should contact the Jury Central Summoning Bureau (JCSB). While by law we cannot automatically defer jurors, HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has issued guidance to help staff deal sympathetically with all requests from the public who wish to be released or deferred from jury service as a result of COVID-19. This also includes jurors who are in self-isolation, household isolation or those who are at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus. Each application for deferral/excusal is considered on its own merit, that is both fair to the individual and consistent with the needs of the court in providing a representative jury.We have published further details here: www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-courts-and-tribunals-planning-and-preparation#jury-service.

Wills: Coronavirus

Lloyd Russell-Moyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the implications of social distancing for the requirement in the Wills Act 1837 that a person who may be a vulnerable individual be in the physical presence of two independent witnesses when signing a will; and if he will enable (a) video conferencing and (b) privileged wills in those cases during the covid-19 outbreak.

Alex Chalk: The Government is currently reviewing the case for reform of the law on making wills given current circumstances.The constraints of the Covid-19 situation must be balanced against the important safeguards in the law to protect elderly and vulnerable people in particular against undue influence and fraud. Having two independent witnesses provides safeguards to those making wills. Privileged wills are a long established convention restricted to people making wills when on active military service where the normal formalities cannot be observed, but which do not equate to the current civil circumstances. Other reform measures are being considered at present.In the longer term, the Government will consider reforms to the law on wills arising from the forthcoming Law Commission report on wills, which will explore a range of issues reviewing the current law and the case for reform (including on the use of technology).The Government is committed to considering further work on witnessing documents by video-conference generally, in the light of the recent Law Commission report on Electronic Execution of Documents, which will help to inform potential reforms to the law on wills in the future.

Debt Collection: Coronavirus

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to regulate the actions of bailiffs and debt collectors on people facing financial hardship as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Alex Chalk: My department is working with the enforcement agent (bailiff) industry to ensure that enforcement agents are taking a flexible and sympathetic approach to people facing financial hardship as a result of the covid-19 outbreak. In addition, we have instructed enforcement agents (bailiffs) to follow the government guidance regarding working practices and contact with others, including social distancing measures.Debt collection firms are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (the FCA). I understand that they are reminding firms of their existing responsibilities to offer forbearance to those facing financial hardship. The FCA have recently confirmed a package of temporary measures to provide temporary relief to those facing payment difficulties during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Trials: Coronavirus

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of deferring or postponing ongoing trials for non-violent offences for the duration of the covid-19 pandemic.

Chris Philp: As of 23 March 2020, the Lord Chief Justice suspended all jury trials in the Crown Court. In the Magistrates’ Courts, trials are being selected for listing by the Judiciary where the Judge is satisfied that the case can be safely heard, having regard to all the particulars of the case management and the status and condition of the court in which it will be heard.Our courts provide a vital public service and it is important that justice is delivered wherever possible. We are working closely with the judiciary and using the technology available to progress cases through the system as quickly as possible. Public safety is our priority and we are keeping the situation under constant review.

National Probation Service for England and Wales: Pay

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to ensure that National Probation Service staff are paid their contractual increments on time.

Lucy Frazer: In 2018 agreement was reached with National Probation Service (NPS) Trade Unions on pay modernisation. This replaces automatic pay progression with a new scheme that will link pay to professional development. Development of this scheme has been delayed.Clearly, this is a scheme that all parties want to get right and therefore we are working with Trade Union colleagues to implement it as soon as possible.We are committed to ensuring that NPS staff receive their annual pay award at the earliest possible point during 2020/21. When the pay award is made, it will be backdated to 1 April 2020.

Magistrates Courts: Coronavirus

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effect of the continuation of priority cases in the Magistrates courts on efforts to reduce transmission of covid-19; what steps he is taking to ensure compliance with the two metre social distancing advice for those involved in any continued proceedings; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Philp: The judiciary has agreed that magistrates’ courts should focus on only the highest priority cases for hearings in open court, and on work that can be dealt with remotely. This has greatly reduced the number of people entering what would otherwise be busy magistrates’ courts. Guidance has been issued to courts to make sure that the advice on observing social distance requirements is observed as far as is practicable. The judiciary continue to review the prioritisation of work in the magistrates’ courts, with the need for courts to be able to operate safely being paramount.

Law Centres: Coronavirus

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to provide additional funding from the public purse to law centres to help them respond to increases in the number of legal enquiries during the covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement.

Alex Chalk: We recognise the valuable role that Law Centres play in local communities across the country, and we support them in this vital work. It is right that the Government does what it can to help vulnerable people and the charity sector on which they rely during this challenging time. That is why the Government recently announced that it is providing £360m of funding to charities, as well as an additional £370m fund for smaller organisations at the heart of local communities. MoJ officials continue to meet regularly with representatives of law centres as well as the wider advice sector, to ensure that they are supported during this time and discuss ways in which we can work together to enhance the breadth of legal support available for everyone in society.

Department for International Trade

Trade Agreements: Australia

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what the Government's timetable is for holding (a) discussions, (b) meetings and (b) negotiations with the Australian Government on a potential UK - Australia free trade agreement.

Greg Hands: The Government is committed to negotiating and securing an ambitious free trade deal with Australia as soon as is practical. During these unprecedented times we are working with our negotiation partners to consider options for conducting negotiations in a way that reflects the current situation and respects public health.

Trade Agreements: Australia

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what her Department's (a) objectives and (b) planned timetable are for agreeing a trade deal with Australia.

Greg Hands: The Government is committed to negotiating and securing an ambitious free trade deal with Australia as soon as it is practical in a way which respects public health at this current time. We will jointly decide with Australia on how and when to proceed with the negotiations as the developing situation with COVID-19 becomes clearer. The UK Government will publish its negotiating objectives for a UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement, before negotiations start. This will be accompanied by a scoping assessment which will set out the potential economic impacts of any agreement.

Trade Agreements

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what bilateral free trade agreements her Department is discussing; and on what dates she plans to publish the negotiating objectives for those free trade agreements that do not relate to the US or EU.

Conor Burns: The Government is committed to the international free trade agenda. During these unprecedented times we are looking at options to conduct negotiations in a way that reflects the current situation and respects public health. Negotiating objectives will be published before the launch of negotiations.

Trade Agreements: Australia

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment she has made of the potential (a) environmental and (b) social impacts on the UK of a UK trade deal with Australia.

Greg Hands: At the start of free trade agreement negotiations with Australia, the Government will publish its Outline Approach which will include our negotiating objectives. This will be accompanied by a scoping assessment which will set out the potential economic impacts of any agreement.

Import Controls: Food

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether she plans to prohibit imports from (a) New Zealand, (b) Australia and (c) other future trading partners of food produced under systems banned in the UK.

Greg Hands: It is vital that we explore new trading opportunities, but that should not mean a dilution of the standards for which British food is world renowned. Without exception, imports into the UK will meet our stringent standards and any future deals must work for UK consumers, farmers and companies.

Overseas Trade: Australia

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment she has made of the level of regulatory divergence on goods between the UK and Australia; and what steps she is taking to ensure that goods produced under systems with lower levels of environmental regulation are not imported into the UK.

Greg Hands: We continue to consider Australian regulations and engage with our Australian counterparts to build a shared understanding of our countries’ approaches and ambitions for our future bilateral trade relationship. In line with our international obligations, the Government will continue to ensure a high level of protection of the environment in new trade agreements. The Government shares the public’s high regard for the UK’s environmental protections and has made clear that we will not compromise on these.

Trade Agreements: Australia

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment she has made of the potential effectiveness of alternative investor protection provisions in relation to a free trade agreement between the UK and Australia.

Greg Hands: This Government is keen to ensure that UK investors overseas benefit from strong protections against discriminatory or unfair treatment from a host state. The precise details of any future UK Free Trade Agreement with Australia are a matter for formal negotiations, and we would not seek to pre-empt these discussions.

Trade Agreements: Australia

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment she has made of the implications for (a) her policy on investor-state dispute settlement in a future UK-Australia trade agreement and (b) the Government's climate change objectives of the recent use of that dispute settlement by energy companies overseas.

Greg Hands: The Government is clear that our future investment policy will continue to protect our right to regulate in the public interest, including to meet our climate change and environmental objectives. There is yet to be a successful investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) claim against the UK, nor has the threat of potential disputes affected the government’s legislative programme.

Department for International Trade: Wines

Andrew Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how much her Department spent on (a) English wine and (b) wine from other countries in 2017-18.

Conor Burns: It is not possible to separate the cost of English wine, or wine from other countries, from ‘other catering and hospitality costs’ in the Department’s finance system. As a representative department, small amounts of alcohol may be served at external events where there is a clear business need and it is appropriate given the importance of the occasion and standing of the guests, but we do not keep a separate record of this. Departmental policy states that expenditure should be kept as low as possible, and within specified limits.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Social Services: Shropshire

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that Shropshire council has adequate funding to provide adult social care.

Mr Simon Clarke: Holding answer received on 19 March 2020



The 2020-21 settlement for local government responds to the pressures councils are facing by providing access to the largest year on year increase in spending power in a decade.The additional £1 billion funding announced for adult and children’s social care, together with the continuation of existing social care grant funding worth £2.5 billion and the Adult Social Care Precept, means that the Government will give local authorities access to almost £6 billion of dedicated funding across adult and children’s social care in 2020-21. Shropshire Council will have access to £34.5 million of dedicated social care funding over this period.In March, the Government provided an additional £1.6 billion to help local authorities respond to coronavirus (COVID-19) pressures across all the services they deliver, including Adult Social Care. Just under £9 million was allocated to Shropshire. On 18 April, the Government announced that local authorities will receive a further £1.6 billion, allocations will be announced in due course.This takes the total funding to support local authorities to respond to the pandemic to over £3.2 billion.

Meals on Wheels: Coronavirus

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if his Department will provide funding to local authorities to reintroduce a nationwide meals on wheels service for the vulnerable during the covid-19 outbreak.

Mr Simon Clarke: Holding answer received on 25 March 2020



MHCLG continues to work with local authorities to develop appropriate measures that ensure those most vulnerable have access to food and drink throughout the Covid-19 outbreak.On 23 March, the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for this Department announced steps to protect 1.5 million high-risk individuals. These individuals received letters asking them to shield themselves and stay at home for the next 12 weeks.To support these high-risk individuals, we are working with local authorities, the food industry, local resilience and emergency partners, and voluntary groups to ensure these individuals have essential items such as groceries and medicine through deliveries and priority supermarket delivery slots, if they do not have alternative means of accessing these.In addition, we have announced over £3.2 billion in funding to support local authorities to respond to this pandemic.

Private Rented Housing: Coronavirus

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to support tenants who are unable to pay their rent as a result of loss of income due to the covid-19 outbreak.

Christopher Pincher: On 18 March, we announced a radical package of measures to protect renters and landlords affected by coronavirus. Emergency legislation has been brought forward as an urgent priority so that landlords will not be able to start proceedings to evict tenants for at least a three-month period. As a result of these measures, no renter in private or social accommodation needs to be concerned about the threat of eviction during this time.Tenants will continue to be liable for their rent, and those tenants who can afford to pay should continue to do so. The Government has also announced unprecedented measures to support workers to stay in work during this period by paying up to 80 per cent of their wages, increasing the amount available to welfare claimants and raising the Local Housing Allowance rate to the 30 th percentile, supporting tenants who may have already been struggling with their rent. These significant financial measures will support tenants to continue to pay their living costs, including rental payments.

Council Tax: Coronavirus

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans his Department has to push back the council tax 10-month payment period, so that payments can be made from June 2020 to March 2021, to allow for the council tax break to fall during the estimated peak of covid-19.

Mr Simon Clarke: Local authorities have the flexibility to spread council tax payments over any consecutive ten months of the year. The Government is aware that some councils have already used this flexibility to help local people in the light of COVID-19. The Government has also made available a £500 million Hardship Fund to enable councils to provide additional local council tax support to the most vulnerable households.

Rents: Coronavirus

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has made an assessment of the feasibility of introducing a ban on rent increases for (a) social and (b) private rented housing for the duration of the covid-19 outbreak.

Christopher Pincher: The Government have no plans to ban rent increases during the COVID-19 outbreak as we have already announced extensive measures to protect renters affected by coronavirus. Through the Coronavirus Act 2020, we have introduced legislation to delay when landlords are able to evict tenants. The legislation does this either by extending the notice period that a landlord is required to serve on a tenant to at least three months or, in some cases, creating a three months’ notice requirement where a requirement to give notice does not currently exist.  The Master of the Rolls, with the agreement of the Lord Chancellor, suspended all ongoing housing possession cases for 90 days from 27 March 2020.All tenants remain liable for their rent and those who can afford to should continue to pay it. At the end of this period, if arrears have built up, landlords and tenants will be expected to work together to establish an affordable repayment plan, taking into account the tenants’ individual circumstances. For tenants in social housing, landlords will continue to work closely with residents to help them manage their rent and ensure they can access all benefits they are entitled to.Alongside this legislative protection, the Chancellor has put in place an unprecedented support package including support for business to pay staff salaries, as well as a strengthening of the welfare safety-net with a £7 billion boost to Universal Credit, income tax and VAT deferrals. And we’ve increased Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates so that they are set at the 30th percentile of market rents in each area. These significant financial measures will help to support tenants to continue to pay their living costs, including rental payments. We have also extended the three month mortgage payment holiday to landlords with Buy to Let mortgages whose tenants are experiencing financial difficulties due to coronavirus.

Food Supply: Coronavirus

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the announcement by his Department on 21 March 2020 on measures to protect people at highest risk from coronavirus, what plans his Department has to support the delivery of food; whether his Department has plans to support food initiatives in local communities; and what support local authorities will provide.

Christopher Pincher: On 23 March, the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for this Department announced steps to protect 1.5 million extremely clinically vulnerable individuals. These individuals received letters asking them to shield themselves and self-isolate for the next 12 weeks.To support these high-risk individuals, we are working with local authorities, the food industry, local resilience and emergency partners, and voluntary groups to ensure these individuals have essential items such as groceries and medicine through deliveries and priority supermarket delivery slots, if they do not have alternative means of accessing these.The system to deliver food packages is now up and running and capacity is building in line with current demand. We have now delivered over 280,000 food packages direct to people’s doorsteps and will be ramping up our food deliveries over the coming weeks.

Supported Housing: Staff

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Government's policy is that staff providing extra care or warden services in supported and sheltered housing schemes operated by Registered Social Landlords are key workers; and if he will make a statement.

Luke Hall: Government published guidance on GOV.UK on 19 March setting out how the children of those whose work is critical to the COVID-19 response and cannot be safely cared for at home will be prioritised for education provision.Protecting vulnerable tenants and ensuring that residents of supported and sheltered housing schemes are safe is critical at this time.The guidance is clear that if workers think they fall within the critical categories it describes, they should confirm with their employer that, based on their business continuity arrangements, their specific role is necessary for the continuation of this essential public service.

Food Supply: Coronavirus

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the national plan for delivering food assistance is; what steps he will take to support local community food initiatives; and what role local authorities will have in ensuring the supply of food assistance.

Christopher Pincher: My Department continues to work with local authorities to develop appropriate measures that ensure those most vulnerable have access to food and drink throughout the COVID-19 outbreak.This Government is implementing a system to support those whose underlying health conditions mean they are at higher clinical risk for COVID-19, and are therefore being asked to self-isolateThe system will enable the delivery of groceries and medicine to this group, if they do not have alternative means of accessing these in place. Deliveries of food and essential household items will be delivered to the doorstep.Local authorities will be a key delivery agency, working closely with at-risk individuals, central Government, food industry partners and the voluntary and community sector to ensure the system operates effectively.

Council Tax: Coronavirus

Rosie Duffield: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of directing local authorities to suspend council tax payments for the duration of the covid-19 outbreak.

Mr Simon Clarke: Council tax plays a vital role in funding the local services which are at the forefront of the COVID-19 response. To assist financially vulnerable households, the Government has confirmed £500 million of funding to provide more council tax relief. Local authorities also have the flexibility to spread council tax payments over the final ten months of the year to help local people.

Homelessness: Coronavirus

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that people experiencing homelessness are provided with units to self-isolate during the covid-19 outbreak.

Luke Hall: During the COVID-19 outbreak, the Government has been working at pace with the GLA and a number of hotel chains across the country to secure accommodation for rough sleepers and we have now introduced a centrally coordinated booking process. The vast majority of rough sleepers known to local authorities have now been made offers of safe accommodation – ensuring some of the most vulnerable in society are protected from the pandemic. This includes those rough sleeping or who have been living in accommodation with communal sleeping spaces such as night shelters. This response is backed by £1.6 billion of additional funding for local authorities to enable them to respond to other COVID-19 pressures, including stepping up support for the adult social care workforce and for services helping the most vulnerable, such as those who find themselves experiencing homelessness during this time. This is in addition to £3.2 million in targeted funding to ensure that we minimise the risk to those currently unable to self-isolate. This funding will assist local authorities with providing accommodation and support to vulnerable people who are at risk of, or who have been diagnosed with, COVID-19. We will continue to work closely with local authorities to help ensure that they have the resources they need to protect people who are currently, or at risk of, sleeping rough.

Homelessness: Coronavirus

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans he has ensure that (a) support and (b) accommodation is made available for people experiencing homelessness with no recourse to public funds during the covid-19 outbreak.

Luke Hall: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Estate Agents: Coronavirus

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether estate agents are classified as key workers for the purposes of the Government's response to the covid-19 pandemic.

Christopher Pincher: Estate agents are not currently classified as key workers. All estate agency workers should work from home wherever possible to support their existing clients, and follow Government guidelines on hygiene and social distancing.

Homelessness: Coronavirus

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to provide people experiencing homelessness with accommodation where they can self-isolate if they are displaying covid-19 symptoms.

Luke Hall: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Homelessness

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to provide support and accommodation to people experiencing homelessness who also have no recourse to public funds.

Luke Hall: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Charities: Coronavirus

Sarah Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government is taking to support charities and faith organisations who rely on donations from the public to pay for (a) charity work and (b) overheads of religious buildings, during the covid-19 outbreak.

Luke Hall: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Business Improvement Districts: Coronavirus

Dr Luke Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that Business Improvement Districts play an active roll in encouraging the return of footfall to the high street after the covid-19 outbreak.

Mr Simon Clarke: Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) have a significant role to play in regeneration of high streets and towns across England and their role will be even more important in the recovery phase from the current crisis.We have announced changes to BID legislation, to delay BIDS’ ballots between now and 31 December 2020 by extending the BID arrangements until 31 March 2021, allowing businesses to focus on recovery from economic shock before deciding whether to participate in BID arrangements for the following five-year period.We are currently exploring other ways we can support BIDs directly, but their business communities will benefit from the substantial package of direct support to businesses already announced by the Chancellor.

Second Homes: Coronavirus

Rosie Duffield: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of making holiday homes exempt from classification as domestic properties when that home is being used as a main residence for the duration of the covid-19 outbreak.

Christopher Pincher: The Government has no plans to exempt homes from being classified as domestic properties other than where they are being used for business purposes. Where a property is used for non-domestic purposes, it is for the Valuation Office Agency to determine whether it should be liable for council tax or business rates.

Department for Work and Pensions

Children: Maintenance

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make it her policy for the public purse to cover shortfalls in child maintenance payments to protect family income during the covid-19 outbreak.

Mims Davies: The Government recognises that the income of many separated parents is being impacted by the public health emergency and some receiving parents may receive less maintenance as a result of a paying parent’s drop in income. No one should use this time as an excuse to avoid their child maintenance payments however where parents experience a change in income, we can review their case and check if the amount paid should change and they may be eligible for Universal Credit, contributory JSA or ESA. The Government has been clear in its commitment to support those, including both paying and receiving parents, whose income drops as a result of the public health emergency and we have made a number changes to the welfare system to ensure people are receiving the support they need. These include increasing the standard rate of Universal Credit and working tax credit for this year by around £1000 per year. People who need money urgently continue to be able to access up to a month’s Universal Credit advance upfront by applying online. In addition, Statutory Sick Pay now applies from day one, rather than the fourth day of illness. We are increasing the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimants so that it covers the cheapest third of local rents – which is on average £600 in people’s pockets. Taken together, these measures represent an injection of over £6.5 billion into the welfare system and, along with the other job and business support programmes announced by the Chancellor, represent one of the most comprehensive packages of support introduced by an advanced economy in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Attendance Allowance

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of take-up rates of attendance allowance in each of the last five years for which data are available.

Guy Opperman: The Government currently spends £5.8 billion a year providing some help to 1.43 million people of pension age with the cost of their care needs. Attendance Allowance provides financial support towards the extra costs faced by those with a severe disability. It is only available to those over State Pension age who require care or supervision as a result of their disability. Information on the availability of Attendance Allowance is widely available including online on GOV.UK; from places such as Libraries and Doctors Surgeries; directly from Health Care Professionals who might be supporting those with care needs; and from a range of groups and charities who provide advice and support to elderly people with care needs. DWP continually seeks to improve the information it makes available so as to encourage people to claim Attendance Allowance where they may be entitled. We have not made any estimates in take-up rates of Attendance Allowance.

Redundancy: Coronavirus

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has plans to publish guidance for people that have been made redundant as a result of covid-19 on the JobCentre Plus website in order to promote social distancing by reducing attendance at job centres.

Mims Davies: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Universal Credit: Coronavirus

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the covid-19 outbreak, what plans her Department has to change the process of applying for universal credit for people who cannot apply online so that claimants do not have to take proof of identity into their local JobCentre.

Will Quince: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Universal Credit

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of trends in the level of time taken to speak to a call handler on the universal credit helpline.

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she has taken to manage an increase in claims for universal credit as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the increase in universal credit claims as a result of the covid-19 outbreak has affected claim processing times.

Will Quince: Since mid-March we have seen a huge volume of calls to the Universal Credit helpline, with over 2 million calls on a single day at one point. We are aware that this demand has meant that some claimants were not able to get through. People making new claims for Universal Credit no longer need to call the Department as part of the process. Once they have completed their online application we will call them if we need to check any of the information they have given us. We have also introduced new processes to ease pressure on waiting times for identity verification over the phone and other processes. The Department’s priority is to continue to ensure those who are entitled to benefit receive the support they need at a time when new claims for Universal Credit are at an unprecedented level. Since 16 March 2020, we have received more than 1.5 million new claims for Universal Credit. 10,000 members of staff from other parts of DWP are being redeployed to support work on new claims and we are urgently recruiting additional people to assist with the processing of claims.

Universal Credit

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how long after first applying can claimants for universal credit receive their first advance.

Will Quince: Universal Credit new claim advance payments have long been an integral part of the UC system, allowing claimants to access up to 100% of their total expected monthly award at the start of their claim, which can be paid back over a period of up to 12 months, which will be extended to 24 months from October 2021. Applications are accepted by phone or online and payments can be issued on the same day.

Social Security Benefits: Coronavirus

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of how many and what proportion of people need support accessing food; and what proportion of these people need support as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Will Quince: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Universal Credit: Overseas Visitors

Fleur Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will extend universal credit eligibility to self-employed individuals residing in the UK on overseas visas.

Will Quince: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Universal Credit: Coronavirus

Neil Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many applications for universal credit were made on each of the last 30 days.

Will Quince: Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Universal Credit system has demonstrated its resilience and ability to deal with large increase in applications, ensuring we provide financial help to those in need. Using technology and automation Universal Credit delivers a modern and effective working-age welfare system, allowing our staff to concentrate on those people who require additional support. This approach is currently allowing us to continue to process new applications online and by telephone without the need to visit a Jobcentre.The most recent scheduled Universal Credit statistical release surrounding the caseload volume was on 21 April 2020: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/announcements/universal-credit-29-april-2013-to-12-march-2020

Self-employed: Coronavirus

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on protecting self-employed workers from financial hardship during the covid-19 outbreak.

Mims Davies: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Employment and Support Allowance: Coronavirus

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that employment support allowance and new style employment support allowance applications (a) can be made online and (b) are processed urgently during the covid-19 outbreak.

Justin Tomlinson: On average we are processing ‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (NSESA) claims in 2.2 days but we recognise people will have found it difficult to speak to us given the volume of traffic, and so we have fast-tracked the development of an online application process for NSESA, which went live on 20 April. This will allow the majority of people who need to claim this benefit to do so online. The NSESA claim phone lines are still available for people who do not have access to, or who cannot, use the online system. DWP have prioritised the clearance of all benefit claims by moving colleagues to front line processing roles, which has significantly increased our capacity and we are endeavouring to clear claims received as quickly as possible. ESA is now closed as a means-tested benefit for new claimants in the majority of cases and working-age claimants with a disability or health condition should now make a claim to Universal Credit.

Universal Credit: Coronavirus

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2020 to Question 32160, what assessment she has made of the extent to which accessibility of IT and language support resources may prevent claimants applying for universal credit; and if she will make it her policy to allow agencies to support claimants for that benefit without the need for explicit consent.

Mims Davies: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Offshore Industry: Coronavirus

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Health and Safety Executive is taking to ensure that (a) social distancing and (b) other measures to help prevent increasing covid-19 infection rates are enforced among offshore oil and gas workers.

Mims Davies: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Universal Credit: Coronavirus

Stuart C McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make it her policy to suspend repayment of all universal credit advances during the covid-19 outbreak.

Will Quince: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Students: Part-time Employment

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans she is putting in place during the covid-19 outbreak to support students in part-time work who are unable to claim universal credit.

Mims Davies: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Universal Credit

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2020 to Question 28608, on Universal Credit, how many universal credit claims were made in 2019 by households containing a person that declared they are receiving Statutory Maternity Pay.

Mims Davies: Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid by an employer through their payroll system and is therefore treated as a form of earnings for the purposes of assessing entitlement to Universal Credit. Any SMP received is subject to the work allowance (where a claimant is eligible) and tapering, in the same way as other earned income. The earnings data we receive does not allow the Department to identify earnings that include SMP. Universal Credit seeks to take earnings into account in a way that is fair and transparent. The amount of Universal Credit paid reflects, as closely as possible, the actual circumstances of a household during each monthly assessment period, including any earnings reported by their employer or employers during the assessment period, regardless of when they were paid, or which month they relate to. Assessment periods allow for Universal Credit awards to be adjusted on a monthly basis, ensuring that if a claimant’s income changes, they do not have to wait several months for a corresponding change in their Universal Credit award. Claimants can discuss the implications of any changes in earnings with their Case Manager or Work Coach and can be referred to personal budgeting support to help them manage their budgeting.

Universal Credit: Coronavirus

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to publish information on the increase in the number of universal credit claimants by local authority area since the outbreak of covid-19.

Will Quince: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Animal Welfare

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals on animal sentience.

Victoria Prentis: The Government has committed to bringing in new laws on animal sentience. Any necessary changes required to domestic legislation will be made in a rigorous and comprehensive way after the transition period and will be brought forward when Parliamentary time allows. Defra is currently assessing how best to support Government departments in considering the welfare needs of sentient animals when they are developing and implementing Government policy. Defra engages with a wide range of stakeholders on a number of animal welfare issues, including animal sentience.

Litter: Standards

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the targets to be set under the Environment Bill will include a target on litter.

Rebecca Pow: The Government will be required to set at least one target for each of the four priority areas: air quality; biodiversity; water; and waste reduction and resource efficiency. The power to set targets will not be limited to these four priority areas. Long-term targets could be set in respect of any matter which relates to the natural environment, or people’s enjoyment of it, in order to drive significant improvement of the environment.

Litter

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the remit of the proposed Office of Environmental Protection will include holding public bodies to account on compliance with duties to collect litter.

Rebecca Pow: The Office of Environmental Protection (OEP) will be established with the principal objective of contributing to environmental protection and the improvement of the natural environment. The OEP will have powers that will enable it to hold all public authorities to account for their implementation of any legislative provisions that fall under the definition of environmental law as set out in the Environment Bill. In this context, the OEP’s remit is not defined by reference to specific subjects such as litter, but rather by reference to the question of whether legislation is mainly concerned with environmental protection. The OEP will also need to consider the seriousness of any alleged breach, and whether there are more appropriate avenues to resolve the matter, in determining where and how to act in relation to any specific case. Legal duties in relation to litter, or indeed any other subject, would therefore need to be considered against the definition of environmental law in the Environment Bill in order to determine whether the OEP has powers to act. This will be for the OEP to assess in the first instance.

Veterinary Medicine: Coronavirus

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether vets, veterinary nurses and people in related professions are key workers under the covid-19 guidance.

Victoria Prentis: The designation of key workers is a devolved matter and the Scottish Government has published guidance covering Scotland. The Scottish Government has defined categories of workers as a guide for Local Authorities to use when designating key workers. This approach means there may be slight differences in each community in Scotland to address local priorities. The relevant section of the Government covid-19 guidance, Food and other necessary goods, states that the key worker status includes those involved in food production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery, as well as those essential to the provision of other key goods (for example hygienic and veterinary medicines). For more information relating to key worker status for vets please refer to the guidance found at:www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/news/coronavirus-rcvs-and-bva-issue-joint-guidance-on-key-worker. For more information on key workers in general please refer to the GOV.UK website at:www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision.

Food Supply: Coronavirus

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of people who will require food assistance during the covid-19 outbreak; what proportion of those people (a) were vulnerable before the outbreak and (b) are newly vulnerable.

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many people his Department estimates are in need of food assistance; and what proportion of those people (a) were vulnerable before the covid-19 outbreak and (b) are newly vulnerable.

Victoria Prentis: The Government has been and remains in close contact with representatives across the food supply chain and civil society to ensure that vulnerable groups have access to the food and products that they need. We initially estimated that 1.5 million people would fall into the clinically extremely vulnerable group. We have put in place measures to ensure that those identified by the NHS as being extremely clinically vulnerable and who are without a support network of friends and family receive basic food and essential supplies when requested via the online NHS webportal or via the phone. Packages of essential supplies are being delivered across England within seven days of a request for support, as soon as their status as a shielded person is verified, and supermarkets are putting these customers at the front of the queue for online delivery slots. Over 750,000 people across England signed up as NHS Volunteer Responders via the mobile app GoodSam. Over 600,000 volunteers have been verified as NHS Volunteer Responders via the Good Sam platform, and can now receive tasks to help those in their communities. These volunteers will help vulnerable people in England who are at most risk from coronavirus to stay well, including through shopping for vulnerable people for food and essential supplies. We are working quickly to support people who do not fall into the category of being clinically vulnerable, but still need help getting essential food supplies. Government is working with industry, charities, other government departments and Devolved Administrations to ensure whatever support is needed is delivered in a coordinated and consistent manner. We welcome measures that supermarkets have put in place to support the elderly and other vulnerable groups. We have been working closely with the third sector to understand the impacts the outbreak has had on food aid organisations, and how best to ensure that those who are financially vulnerable still have access to essential supplies. Food redistribution organisations across England are benefiting from £3.25 million of government funding to help them cut food waste and redistribute up to 14,000 tonnes of surplus stock.

Milk: Prices

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on tackling the difference between the cost of milk production and the price paid for milk.

Victoria Prentis: We want all milk producers to get a fair price for their produce and are committed to tackling the unfairness that can exist in the dairy supply chain. Through the Government’s Agriculture Bill, introduced on 12 September, we will launch a range of initiatives to improve the position of milk producers. We will introduce and enforce statutory codes of practice to address unfair trading practices which can occur between milk producers and purchasers. We remain committed to a full consultation on dairy contracts to take account of the range of stakeholder views. We have worked closely with officials in all Devolved Administrations to develop this consultation and are committed to creating a statutory code that is sustainable and effective in each nation.

Milk: Coronavirus

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the covid-19 outbreak, whether he plans to take steps to support milk processors.

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has plans to provide financial support to dairy farmers whose milk payments have been deferred by milk processors.

Victoria Prentis: Defra is working closely with the dairy industry to manage the impact of Covid-19. Though demand for milk and some dairy products has increased in supermarkets, farmers supplying milk to processors that sell into the food service sector have seen a significant reduction in demand. About 5 per cent of total milk production goes to the service trade and there is therefore a small proportion of milk production that currently has no home. The vast majority of Britain’s dairy farmers continue to supply their contracts at the usual price. In order to support affected farmers, we have set aside some elements of competition law to make it easier for processors to come together and voluntarily work out how to ease production down in order to create the space in the market for excess milk and to support a recovery in the spot price. We have asked the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (which supports the interests of dairy farmers) and Dairy UK (which represents the processors) to coordinate a proposal and discussions are already underway. We stand ready to support them throughout this pandemic. This approach will allow the market for milk to adjust to the change in demand for milk while allowing production to be restored when shops, restaurants and pubs are able to open again. The Government’s Covid-19 Business Interruption Loans scheme is available to the dairy industry. Defra has held urgent discussions with the major banks to ensure they understand that farmers, milk buyers and milk processors are eligible for this scheme and communications are being prepared to increase awareness across the dairy industry. We will continue to engage closely with representatives from all parts of the dairy supply chain to support the sector throughout this challenging period.

Flood Control: Finance

Craig Whittaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether claimants of flood resilience grants can reapply if the measures installed by that grant are damaged in a subsequent flood.

Rebecca Pow: Flooding has a devastating impact on people’s lives which is why we launched the Property Flood Resilience (PFR) grant in November 2019 and again in February this year. The Defra PFR grants are intended as one-off payments to assist home or business owners in making their properties resilient to future floods as a part of the repair process. They are not intended as compensation or relief funding. To provide good value for public money, if a property has already been made more resilient through a previous PFR scheme, there should be no need for a further grant. Home insurance policies generally put properties back to the state they were in before the flood. This should mean that those people who adapted their properties should be able to secure repairs from their home insurer. Similarly, some items may be covered by product guarantees. The grant is therefore not available to repair damage caused to previous resilience measures.

Food Supply: Coronavirus

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure an adequate supply of food for key workers.

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to secure the food supply for key workers.

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans the Government has for securing the food supply for key workers during the covid-19 outbreak.

Victoria Prentis: The Government has well-established ways of working with the food industry during disruption to supply situations. Our retailers already have highly resilient supply chains and they have adapted quickly to these changes in demand to ensure people have the food and products they need. Food supply into and across the UK is resilient. To help the industry to respond to this unprecedented demand we have introduced new measures to support businesses to keep food supply flowing on to shelves and into homes. These include temporary relaxation of competition laws to allow supermarkets to work together, extending delivery hours to supermarkets and flexing rules on drivers’ hours to allow a higher frequency of deliveries to stores to ensure shelves are being replenished more quickly. Supermarkets are already protecting shopping time for certain key workers. For example, several supermarkets have priority shopping hours for NHS staff and social care workers. We remain in close contact with industry on how they can support keyworkers.

Dogs: Animal Breeding

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the proposed ban on third party sales of puppies will prohibit breeders that breed dogs outside England from selling those dogs in England.

Victoria Prentis: It will be for the local authority responsible for licensing a business to be satisfied that a licence holder has bred the animals they are selling. Defra has updated the statutory guidance on pet selling, and this also covers how to be assured that someone offering a puppy for sale has bred it themselves. The law does not explicitly prohibit sales by someone who is licensed to sell a puppy in England having bred that puppy outside of England. However Defra’s recently launched Petfished campaign provides further guidance for the public on how to source puppies responsibly and this includes signposting to reputable suppliers (like Kennel Club Assured Breeders or licensed breeders) and advising that prospective buyers should always ask to see the puppy interacting with its mother and siblings where it was bred prior to making any purchasing decisions.

Polychlorinated Biphenyl: EU Law

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 March 2020 to Question 22381 on Polychlorinated Biphenyl, if she will place in the Library all data submitted by the UK to the EU as part of the inventories of open and closed sources of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) under Directive 96/59/EC; and whether that data so submitted included PCB wastes disposed of in solid or liquid containment from UK landfill sites.

Rebecca Pow: Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Directive 96/59/EC requires Member States to produce an inventory of closed source PCB equipment with more than 0.005% PCB contamination. The Environment Agency holds this inventory for England and Wales and updates it annually in July. After the initial list, produced in the late 1990s, this information is not sent to the EU but can be viewed on request to the Environment Agency. The inventory data does not include information on the disposal of PCB waste, but since the domestic PCB regulation ‘The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000’ came into force it has been illegal to dispose of PCBs in landfill. All PCB liquid and materials must be destroyed or irreversibly transformed, usually by high temperature incineration.

Supermarkets: Coronavirus

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the sufficiency of the number of refrigerated vans to meet the increased demand for grocery deliveries during the covid-19 outbreak.

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with supermarkets on the potential merits of dividing grocery deliveries between perishable and non-perishable items to ensure efficient usage of delivery fleets.

Victoria Prentis: The Government has well-established ways of working with the food industry during disruption to supply situations. Our retailers have highly resilient supply chains and have adapted quickly to these changes in demand to ensure people have the food and products they need. While we have had, and continue to have significant discussions with retailers over this period these issues have not arisen specifically. Deliveries both to stores and to people’s homes play an important role, and retailers and suppliers are best placed to make decisions about logistics and distribution. We have been supporting the industry in their response to this unprecedented situation by introducing measures to help businesses to keep food supply flowing. These include temporary relaxation of competition laws to allow supermarkets to work together, extending delivery hours to supermarkets and flexing rules on drivers’ hours to allow a higher frequency of deliveries to stores.

Pest Control: Coronavirus

Colum Eastwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether pest control services are classified as a key service in relation to the covid-19 outbreak.

Victoria Prentis: The Government’s guidance for critical workers specifically relates to the continued offer for education provision for their children. The indicative list of critical sectors published in the guidance does not have wider implications, and does not confer special status on individuals included in the guidance pertaining to travel, business or any other services.   Pest control services come under the ‘Food and other necessary goods’ section of the government’s guidance here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision In the first instance, employees should confirm with their employer if their role is critical and if they are able to work from home, to establish whether they meet the criteria for their children to attend school. We are asking individuals, employers and schools to make sensible judgments about the policy.   The Government's position remains that everyone who can work from home should do so. Where that is not possible, people should go into work where it is safe and they (or members of their household) are not symptomatic, following relevant PHE guidance. This applies to pest control services. The guidance for employers and businesses on coronavirus (COVID-19) can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/guidance-for-employers-and-businesses-on-coronavirus-covid-19.

Food Supply: Coronavirus

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans the Government has to ensure the delivery of food to people in self-isolation; and when such plans will be in operation.

Victoria Prentis: I continue to have regular conversations with retailers and the wider supply chain so that we can take the action required to make sure that everyone can get the food and groceries they need. We have put in place measures to ensure that those identified by the NHS as being extremely clinically vulnerable and who are without a support network of friends and family receive basic food and essential supplies. Packages of essential groceries are being delivered across England to people in this category, which should arrive within seven days after support is requested via the online NHS webportal or via the phone. In addition, we have worked with supermarkets to place these customers at the front of the queue for online delivery slots. We are working quickly to support people who do not fall into the category of being clinically vulnerable, but still need help getting essential food supplies. I regularly speak to other departments, industry, charities and local authorities, working together to make sure that the non-shielding vulnerable have access to food. Many people are already being well supported by their friends, families, neighbours and local communities. We are working with retailers and the voluntary sector to ensure that people are supported to shop for others safely. Over 750,000 people across England signed up as NHS Volunteer Responders via the mobile app GoodSam. Over 600,000 volunteers have been verified as NHS Volunteer Responders via the Good Sam platform, and can now receive tasks to help those in their communities. These volunteers will help vulnerable people in England who are at most risk from coronavirus to stay well, including through shopping for vulnerable people for food and essential supplies.

Supermarkets: Coronavirus

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the accuracy of reports that supermarkets are raising prices for basic staple foods during the covid-19 outbreak.

Victoria Prentis: It is not for the UK Government to set retail food prices or comment on day-to-day commercial decisions. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has developed a timely indication of price change for high-demand products (HDP) covering the period 16 March to 5 April 2020. A weekly index is being produced for each of these items. In the most recently published release (week to 5 April) prices for food items in the HDP basket were 0.4% higher than the base period starting 16 March. These are not national statistics and Government will also continue to monitor the monthly Consumer Prices Index including Housing Costs (CPIH) for food prices.

Flood Control: South Yorkshire

Alexander Stafford: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of river dredging on levels of flooding in South Yorkshire.

Rebecca Pow: I refer my honourable Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Barnsley Central on 2 March 2020, Parliamentary Question UIN 23628 [https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2020-03-02/23628/].

Home Office

Coronavirus: Domestic Violence

Emma Hardy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government will take to protect vulnerable women from domestic violence during periods of self isolation.

Victoria Atkins: Domestic abuse is unacceptable in any situation, no matter what the stresses. It is an abhorrent crime and perpetrators will be prosecuted.We acknowledge that recent measures announced to tackle coronavirus (COVID-19), such as the order to stay at home, can cause anxiety for those who are experiencing or feel at risk of domestic abuse. Existing sources of advice and support continue to be available to victims – including for example through the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, which is staffed 24 hours a day, every day of the year, by a dedicated team of experts.The Chancellor has announced a funding package of some £750m to support charities including those providing domestic abuse services. The Home Office has announced an additional £2 million in funding to support technological capability such as specialist helplines and websites.We have also launched a new campaign to signpost victims to the support services available. The campaign, under the hashtag #YouAreNotAlone, aims to reassure those affected by domestic abuse that support services remain available during this difficult time.

Breweries: Licensing Laws

Sir Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to amend licensing laws to allow breweries to sell and deliver beer direct to the consumer during the covid-19 outbreak.

Kit Malthouse: We are considering the impact of COVID-19 on breweries and other licensed premises and steps to minimise this impact.

Domestic Abuse: Coronavirus

Gill Furniss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has plans to provide additional funding to local authorities to support people at increased risk of becoming victims of domestic violence as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Victoria Atkins: £1.6 billion of the £5 billion COVID-19 fund announced in the Budget will go to local authorities to help them respond to pressures across all the services they deliver.The Chancellor has further announced a funding package of some £750m to support charities including those providing domestic abuse services. In addition, the Home Office has announced £2 million in funding to support technological capability such as specialist helplines and websites.

Police: Protective Clothing

Dr Luke Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to ensure that personal protective equipment is available for police officers undertaking duties during the covid-19 outbreak.

Kit Malthouse: The Government is working closely with its partners including the emergency services on a range of issues including the availability of suitable PPE, and the development and availability of suitable testing.

Visas

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that settlement visa criteria are achievable following Government advice on (a) avoiding all unnecessary travel and (b) social distance during the covid-19 outbreak.

Kevin Foster: We are acutely aware of the issues around visa criteria due to Covid-19 and the need for everyone to adhere to Public Health England’s advice to remain at home.The Home Office is working urgently to produce guidance and alternative arrangements for individuals due to the current unprecedented situation and events beyond their control.

Police: Stoke on Trent

Jonathan Gullis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the number of police inquiry offices to improve contact points for police offices and PCSOs in (a) Tunstall and (b) Burslem.

Kit Malthouse: Decisions on local contact points for police officers and PCSOs are operational matters for the Chief Constable of the force concerned.

Immigrants: Coronavirus

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to support people whose leave to remain in the UK will expire during the period of travel bans due to the covid-19 outbreak.

Kevin Foster: We are taking steps to ensure foreign nationals will not be penalised as a result of coronavirus and related travel restrictions outside of their control, which may prevent them departing the UK before their leave to remain expires.A mailbox CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk has been set up for individuals to ask Home Office staff coronavirus immigration related questions and to seek an extension to their leave to remain if needed due to travel restrictions or self-isolation. There is also a freephone number 0800 678 1767 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) for those who wish to discuss their individual circumstances. A pragmatic and compassionate approach will be taken to each case.

Visas: Migrant Workers

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her policy is on the visa status of migrant workers on Tier 2 work visas that become unemployed as a result of the covid-19 outbreak; and if she will make a statement.

Kevin Foster: These are extraordinary times, and we are working hard to ensure no migrant workers are penalised unfairly by these events.No one will have a negative outcome through the immigration system due to a circumstances which are beyond their control.

Entry Clearances: Coronavirus

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her policy is on the status of overseas nationals that overstay their visas as a result of (a) travel restrictions, (b) self-isolation and (c) being infected with covid-19 during the outbreak of that disease; and if she will make a statement.

Kevin Foster: We are taking steps to ensure foreign nationals will not be penalised as a result of issues related to coronavirus which are outside of their control.This is one of many issues where we are taking a compassionate and pragmatic approach. Anyone wishing to discuss their personal circumstances can contact the Home Office via the coronavirus immigration mailbox - CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk - or call the freephone number, 0800 678 1767 which is staffed Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Civil Servants: Remote Working

Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to allow civil servants to work from home during the covid-19 outbreak.

Victoria Atkins: Communications have been issued to all Home Office staff making it clear that if their job can be done from home they should work from home.They should only come into the workplace if this has been agreed with their manager and is essential for business delivery. Steps are being taken to ensure that employees have access to the necessary IT to enable them to work at home if possible as well as access to wellbeing support.

Police Custody: Coronavirus

Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance her Department has issued to police forces on the safe detention of people accused of a crime who are displaying symptoms of covid-19.

Kit Malthouse: The Home Office are in regular contact with the National Police Chiefs' Counsel (NPCC) and other key stakeholders regarding custody related matters. The NPCC have circulated guidance for all police forces in order for them to safely manage their custody suites with respect to their detainees, staff and visitors.

Public Transport: Disease Control

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the potential role of the police in enforcing social distancing on public transport.

Kit Malthouse: Government departments are working closely with the policing and transport sectors to respond to the threat posed by coronavirus and ensure that essential public services are maintained. We have issued clear guidance on the vital importance of social distancing in keeping us all safe and, whilst we expect the public to play their part by observing this guidance, we are working with the police to ensure they have relevant powers to enforce these measures where necessary.The police have in place robust contingency arrangements that will allow them to maintain their core functions and critical services, and we are working with national police leads to ensure the sector receives all the support it needs to continue to respond to this emergency.

Immigrants: Government Assistance

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether people that have no recourse to public funds will be entitled to access support from the Government during the covid-19 outbreak.

Chris Philp: The Government is committed to supporting people, including migrants with no recourse to public funds, through this crisis. We are taking a compassionate and pragmatic approach and will continue to review the situation to consider if more can be done. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will help firms continue to keep people, including workers with no recourse to public funds, in employment with the government paying 80% of furloughed workers wages up to a cap of £2,500. There are a number of measures in relation to rent and mortgage protections, food vouchers, and protections for the homeless, which are not considered public funds. Local Authorities may also provide basic safety net support if it is established that there is a genuine care need that does not arise solely from destitution, for example, where there are community care needs, migrants with serious health problems or family cases. Covid-19 has been added to the list of infectious diseases so anyone experiencing symptoms, regardless of their immigration status, will be treated for free. People granted leave under the family and human rights routes can apply to have a condition lifted or for access to benefits if their financial circumstances change. The Home Office has set up a dedicated Covid-19 immigration help-centre.

Migrant Workers: Social Security Benefits

Paul Girvan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will discuss with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions the potential merits of extending eligibility to (a) statutory sick pay, (b) employment and support allowance and (c) universal credit to people with employment visas who have no recourse to public funds.

Paul Girvan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether self-employed workers in the UK on a spousal visa will be able to access public funds during the covid-19 outbreak.

Chris Philp: The Home Office is currently considering options for providing support to migrants with no recourse to public funds who are impacted by the Covid-19 outbreak.As with other aspects of our response to this unprecedented situation, we will take a compassionate and pragmatic approach. We will liaise with other relevant Government Departments on this as necessary and will continue to review the situation to consider if more can be done.The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will help firms continue to keep people, including workers with no recourse to public funds, in employment with the government paying 80% of furloughed workers wages up to a cap of £2,500.There are a number of measures in relation to rent and mortgage protections, food vouchers, and protections for the homeless, all of which are not considered public funds.  Local Authorities may also provide basic safety net support if it is established that there is a genuine care need that does not arise solely from destitution, for example, where there are community care needs, migrants with serious health problems or family cases.Covid-19 has been added to the list of infectious diseases so anyone experiencing symptoms, regardless of their immigration status, will be treated for free.

Asylum

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the covid-19 outbreak, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that people can continue to access the asylum system.

Chris Philp: The Home Office is updating guidance and processes in accordance with Public Health England advice in relation to the Covid-19 outbreak to ensure people can continue to access essential systems.

Immigrants: Homelessness

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on ensuring that people that are (a) homeless and (b) destitute are able to access support from local authorities irrespective of their immigration status.

Chris Philp: The Home Office and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) are in touch regularly about these issues and are keeping the situation under review to consider if further measures are needed. The Government has provided £1.6 billion of additional funding to local authorities to enable them to respond to Covid-19 pressures across all the services they deliver, including stepping up support for the adult social care workforce and for services helping the most vulnerable. Using the General Power of Competence set out in s.1 Localism Act 2011, local authorities may provide support to a person who is ineligible for assistance due to immigration status. Additionally, the Home Office has confirmed in light of the pandemic, anyone who would normally cease to be eligible for accommodation because their asylum claim and any appeal has been resolved, is being allowed to remain in their current accommodation for at least the next three months. This applies both to those who have been refused asylum and granted asylum. All people in asylum accommodation have been provided with guidance and advice on Covid-19 in a language they understand to help them self-isolate, including spotting the symptoms and hygiene guidance.

Asylum: Legal Opinion

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on applicants being able to access timely legal advice on their asylum cases, if her Department will temporarily suspend the issuing of decisions to refuse asylum applications.

Chris Philp: Asylum Operations have put in place the appropriate measures to safeguard our people and those using our services against the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. We are continuing to make decisions on cases where we have already interviewed the claimant, or we have sufficient information to allow us to make a decision. We remain committed to ensuring that all asylum seekers are given the opportunity to consult a legal representative, so that those who are seeking protection, can access good quality immigration advice from qualified legal representatives, to ensure their asylum claim is presented properly and in a timely manner. We will continue to review the situation in light of COVID-19 and our approach may change as things develop further. Asylum Operations may have to limit the services provided, but will seek to ensure the most vulnerable are protected and prioritised.

Immigrants: Employment

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have leave to remain in the UK and are permitted to work but have no recourse to public funds.

Kevin Foster: The Home Office does not hold the data requested other than on individual case files.Wider population data and information on the UK’s resident population is a matter for the independent Office for National Statistics. The no recourse to public funds condition is, however, applied to the leave of most migrants in the UK as a legitimate means of maintaining and protecting our economic resources, public services and taxpayer’s funds.

Immigrants: Government Assistance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans the Government has to support people with no recourse to public funds who need to self-isolate as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Chris Philp: The Home Office is working closely with other government departments to support people, including migrants with no recourse to public funds, through this crisis. We are taking a compassionate and pragmatic approach and will continue to review the situation to consider if more can be done. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will help firms continue to keep people, including workers with no recourse to public funds, in employment with the government paying 80% of furloughed workers wages up to a cap of £2,500. There are a number of measures in relation to rent and mortgage protections, food vouchers, and protections for the homeless, all of which are not considered public funds.  Local Authorities may also provide basic safety net support if it is established that there is a genuine care need that does not arise solely from destitution, for example, where there are community care needs, migrants with serious health problems or family cases. Covid-19 has been added to the list of infectious diseases so anyone experiencing symptoms, regardless of their immigration status, will be treated for free. People granted leave under the family and human rights routes can apply to have a condition lifted or for access to benefits if their financial circumstances change.

Immigrants: Detainees

Jess Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the implications for her policy on immigration detention of the 17 March 2020 report by Professor Richard Coker on the risk of infection from covid-19 to (a) vulnerable women asylum seekers and (b) other detainees.

Jess Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to provide people being released from (a) Yarl’s Wood immigration removal centre and (b) other immigration removal centres with (i) accommodation and (ii) support so that they can self-isolate; and what steps she is taking to ensure that access to accommodation is not a barrier to their release.

Chris Philp: There are currently no cases of COVID-19 in immigration removal centres. The safety and health of people in the detention and asylum estates is of the utmost importance. The Home Office has robust contingency plans in place and continues to follow national guidance issued by Public Health England (PHE), Health Protection Scotland and the National Health Service, including the interim advice on preventing and controlling outbreaks of Covid-19 in prisons and other prescribed places of detention, which was first published on 16 March. In addition, all immigration removal centres have communicable disease contingency plans, based on PHE advice, and dedicated health facilities run by doctors and nurses which are managed by the NHS or appropriate providers. All receptions into detention receive an assessment within two hours by a nurse and can see a doctor within 24 hours. Anybody who is destitute and has an outstanding asylum claim or appeal against a refusal to grant asylum can apply for support and accommodation, including those who are being released from detention. The Home Office is working closely with colleagues in Public Health England as well as with accommodation providers to ensure we have appropriate arrangements in place for anybody leaving detention who is receiving asylum support and/or living in asylum accommodation and who is required to self-isolate and providing them with advice and guidance via our AIRE Provider, Migrant Help. Additionally the Secretary of State may provide accommodation and support for a foreign national offender who is subject to a residency condition and are either considered to pose a high risk or harm to the public or be suffering from a serious physical or mental health problem.

UK Visas and Immigration: Remote Working

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of staff in her Department who work at the UK Visa & Immigration Sheffield Premium Service Centre at Vulcan House in Sheffield are (a) working from home and (b) are essential personnel who cannot work from home during the covid-19 outbreak.

Kevin Foster: As of 25th March 2020 Service and Support Centres are now closed, with all staff working from home, aside from some voluntary ad-hoc attendance to support urgent applications from vulnerable individuals.

Domestic Abuse: Coronavirus

Jess Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Domestic Abuse Commissioner has been included in contingency planning for vulnerable groups during the covid-19 outbreak.

Victoria Atkins: We are working closely with the Domestic Abuse Commissioner and her office, as well as the domestic abuse sector, the police and local authorities on contingency planning and to understand the needs of victims of domestic abuse during self-isolation and social distancing, and how these can best be supported.

Domestic Abuse and Sexual Offences: Coronavirus

Jess Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government has taken to help ensure that deaf and disabled victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence can access refuge services and helplines during the covid-19 outbreak.

Victoria Atkins: We are aware that victims of domestic abuse may feel particularly vulnerable at this time, especially deaf and disabled victims.Existing sources of advice and support will continue to be available to victims. In addition to the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, which also has an online chat function, the Home Office provides specific funding to specialist support services including through Victim Support to support disabled victims, and to Sign Health, who support deaf victims.We are continuing to work closely with the domestic abuse sector to understand the needs of victims, during self-isolation and social distancing, and how these can best be supported.

UK Visas and Immigration: Compassionate Leave

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has received representations on UK Visas and Immigrations (UKVI) employees being offered 10 days of special leave to meet childcare responsibilities in response to the covid-19 outbreak; and if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of special leave available for staff of (a) UKVI and (b) her Department with caring responsibilities during the covid-19 pandemic.

Kevin Foster: All Home Office employees, including those working in UK Visas and Immigration, with children affected by school closures can request up to ten working days/two working weeks paid special leave as an interim provision to enable them to care for their children at home and/or to make longer-term alternative care arrangements.If employees need further special leave beyond the initial period, this may be granted by a senior manager if no other suitable arrangements can be made for the child’s care. The wellbeing of our employees is paramount and we have a range of policies to support those who are managing caring responsibilities.

Cabinet Office

Advertising: Digital Technology

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much money from the public purse has been spent on digital advertising on (a) the transition period and (b) public health advice on Covid-19 in (i) February 2020 and (ii) since the beginning of March 2020.

Chloe Smith: Cabinet Office publishes expenditure, including on public information campaigns, on a rolling monthly basis on gov.uk as part of routine government transparency arrangements.

Cleaning Services: Staff

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Government will make an assessment of the potential merits of classifying cleaning staff as key workers.

Dawn Butler: To ask the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office, whether he has made an assessment of the potential effect on the spread of covid-19 in public spaces of listing cleaners as key workers.

Penny Mordaunt: Our message to the British public is clear: stay at home, in order to protect the NHS and save lives. The position remains, as outlined on gov.uk, that everyone who can work from home should do so.Where that is not possible, people should go into work where it is safe and they are not symptomatic, isolating or shielding. Relevant guidance including from Public Health England should be followed.In terms of the provision of education for certain workers, it is already the case that cleaners working in, for example, hospitals and social care could be eligible as long as "their specific role is necessary for the continuation of this essential public service". This is set out here - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision.The Government has placed restrictions on the operations of certain businesses as part of the strategy to ensure people stay at home and away from others. Separate guidance has been published on this and is also available on gov.uk. Scientific evidence supporting the government’s response is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/scientific-advisory-group-for-emergencies-sage-coronavirus-covid-19-response.

Parliamentary Scrutiny: Coronavirus

Mr Stephen Morgan: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what criteria the Government uses to determine what work is essential during the covid-19 outbreak.

Penny Mordaunt: The position as outlined on gov.uk is that everyone who can work from home should do so.When that is not possible, people should go into work provided they are not symptomatic, isolating or shielding. Relevant guidance including from Public Health England should be followed.The Government has placed restrictions on the operations of certain businesses as part of the strategy of enhanced social distancing. Separate guidance has been published on this and is also available on gov.uk.

National Income

Royston Smith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the amount of GDP that came from the sale of illegal drugs in 2018-19.

Chloe Smith: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.



UKSA Response 
(PDF Document, 110.62 KB)

Mobile Phones: Coronavirus

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office, what use (a) the Government and (b) local government is making of emergency messaging on mobile phones during the covid-19 outbreak.

Penny Mordaunt: National and local governments are using messaging to mobile phones as part of its COVID-19 communications campaign to ensure people across the UK continue to adhere to the guidance to 'stay at home, protect the NHS, and save lives.' This has included the Government sending a message to all mobile phone users to highlight the new rules in force. Local health providers, such as GP surgeries, are also using mobile messaging to advise people of revised ways to access health care services.

Members

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what additional activities the Government envisage Members of Parliament will undertake as a result of the abolition of British Members of the European Parliament.

Penny Mordaunt: The United Kingdom has left the European Union. At the end of this year we will have recovered our economic and political independence. This means that there will be no alignment with EU law and no jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.We will have control of our own trade; we will control our own migration policy through an Australian style points-based system; our own laws and courts will be supreme within the UK; we will regain control of UK fishing waters; our farmers will be free from the bureaucratic CAP; and we will have the power to set our taxes. These matters will be debated and decided by the people’s representatives in Parliament and the devolved administrations.

European Commission and European Parliament: Parliamentary Scrutiny

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he plans to take to enable MPs to scrutinise decisions made by the European (a) Parliament and (b) Commission.

Penny Mordaunt: The Government is committed to facilitating the scrutiny of EU decisions through the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee and the Lords EU Committee during the transition period.In addition, section 13A of the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (inserted by section 29 of the EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020) provides that if the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee or the Lords EU Committee publishes a report which states that EU legislation, including Council Decisions, made during the transition period raises a matter of vital national interest, a Minister must make arrangements for a debate in the relevant House within 14 sitting days.By the end of the year, we will be a fully independent and sovereign country: this means that there will be no alignment with EU law and no jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.

Constituencies

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans he has to bring forward proposals for a UK-wide boundary review of parliamentary constituencies.

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the basis was for there being 650 parliamentary constituencies.

Chloe Smith: The Conservative Government committed, in its 2019 Manifesto, to delivering updated and equal UK Parliamentary boundaries with the essential aim of making sure that every vote counts the same - a cornerstone of democracy.In the written statement of 24 March, ‘Update: Strengthening Democracy’ (HCWS183), the Government set out its policy position in relation to the boundaries of UK Parliamentary constituencies. The statement noted that legislation currently provides that, on implementation of the 2018 Boundary Review recommendations, the number of constituencies in the UK shall be 600, and that the Government is instead minded to make provision for the number of parliamentary constituencies to remain at 650. This is a change in policy from the position previously legislated for under the Coalition Government. Since that policy was established in the Coalition Agreement, the United Kingdom has left the European Union. The UK Parliament will have a greater workload now we are taking back control, abolishing MEPs and regaining our political and economic independence. It is therefore sensible for the number of parliamentary constituencies to remain at 650.The written statement explained that, when Parliamentary time allows, the Government is minded to bring forward primary legislation to set the framework for future boundary reviews, including the next review due to begin in early 2021.

Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the Government plans to bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011.

Chloe Smith: The Queen’s Speech set out that “work will be taken forward to repeal the Fixed-term Parliaments Act.” The Act led to parliamentary paralysis at a critical time for the country and repealing the Act will make sure this doesn’t happen again. Further announcements will be made in due course.

Murder: Merseyside

Dr Matthew Offord: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the murder rate in the Merseyside Police region.

Chloe Smith: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.



UKSA Response 
(PDF Document, 116.82 KB)

Treasury

Insurance Companies: Coronavirus

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to ensure that covid-19 is not excluded by insurance companies from their lists of notifiable diseases for claims.

John Glen: The Government is in continual dialogue with the insurance sector about its contribution to handling this unprecedented situation. For those businesses which have an appropriate policy that covers government ordered closure and unspecified notifiable diseases, the Government’s social distancing instructions are sufficient to allow businesses to make a claim against their insurance, provided the other terms and conditions in their policy are met. The FCA’s rules require insurers to handle claims fairly and promptly; provide reasonable guidance to help a policyholder make a claim, and appropriate information on its progress; not reject a claim unreasonably; and settle claims promptly once settlement terms are agreed. However, it is important to note that most businesses have not purchased insurance that covers losses from unspecified notifiable diseases, such as COVID-19. Some policies cover losses arising from any disease classed as notifiable by the government, however most policies only cover a specific list of notifiable diseases. The Government recognises that businesses who do not have appropriate insurance cover will require support from elsewhere. As such, businesses should explore the full package of support set out by the Chancellor in the Budget, on 17 March, and on 20 March, which includes measures such as business rates holidays, the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, and wage support.

PAYE: Coronavirus

Hywel Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to ensure that interest is not charged on PAYE payments that are deferred as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Jesse Norman: The Government has announced an unprecedented package of support for businesses and individuals affected by COVID-19. This includes the deferment of VAT and Income Tax Self-Assessment payments for specified periods. Interest on these deferred payments will be waived. All other taxes are required to be reported and paid on time, and interest continues to apply to late payments. HMRC have scaled up their Time to Pay service, which is available to any taxpayer in temporary financial distress as a result of COVID-19 and with outstanding tax liabilities. Time to Pay arrangements are tailored to the taxpayer and can include deferment of tax payments and an agreed time period to repay. They can cover any tax liability, including PAYE. The Government has announced a range of other support for businesses, including grants for small businesses and government-backed loans that do not accrue interest for the first 12 months. Further information about HMRC’s dedicated COVID-19 support can be found by visiting the GOV.UK website.

Beer: Excise Duties

Grahame Morris: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to cancel beer duty payments due by direct debit on 25 March for small independent brewers.

Jesse Norman: Time to Pay arrangements are already available to all brewers, which enable them to seek deferrals for beer duty and other taxes with no interest or late penalties due. HMRC’s dedicated Covid-19 helpline can be reached by calling: 0800 0159 559. This comes on top of the wider package of support announced by the Chancellor, worth over £350bn. Small brewers will be able to access interest-free loans, defer their VAT payments due on VAT returns for the period until the end of June and receive support worth up to 80% of their employees’ wages.

Welfare Tax Credits

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will suspend the tax credit income disregard for reductions in earnings for the financial year 2020-21 to ensure that where earnings fall households' tax credit entitlement takes full account of that loss.

Steve Barclay: This Government is doing whatever it can to ensure that individuals, families and businesses are supported during the Covid-19 outbreak. The Government recognises that Tax Credits were introduced in the early 2000s and no longer fully reflect the world of work for many people. That is one of the reasons why we are introducing Universal Credit. Universal Credit replaces Tax Credits and several other legacy benefits, to provide a single system of means-tested support for working age people. Universal Credit is assessed and paid monthly and is based on claimants’ actual earnings in the month, rather than their annual income. As HMRC and DWP are experiencing significant increased demand, the Government has chosen to prioritise the safety and stability of the benefits system overall. That is why we have introduced measures that can be operationalised as quickly and safely as possible in order to provide support to those who need it most. Suspending the income disregard in Working Tax Credit (WTC) would not benefit claimants on the lowest incomes who are already in receipt of the maximum support available through WTC. This Government has taken additional steps to support those affected by Covid-19 and has announced a wide-ranging package of measures to support individuals, families and businesses affected by Covid-19. These measures include: Making Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) available for individuals diagnosed with Covid-19 or those unable to work because they are self-isolating in line with Government guidance. This is in addition to the change announced by the Prime Minister that SSP will be payable from day 1 instead of day 4 for affected individuals.Increasing the standard allowance in Universal Credit and the basic element of Working Tax Credit by up to £20 per weekA further temporary relaxation of earnings rules for self-employed Universal Credit claimantsIncreasing the Local Housing Allowance for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimants to the 30th percentile of market rents.Introducing the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to help firms continue to keep people in employment. Businesses can put workers on temporary leave and the Government will pay them cash grants to cover 80% of their wages up to a cap of £2,500, providing they keep the worker employed.

Charities: Coronavirus

David Linden: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government will take to support charities whose income and fundraising activities are affected by the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.

Kemi Badenoch: The Chancellor set on April 8 a £750 million package of support for charities providing key services and supporting vulnerable people during the Covid-19 crisis. This will help charities providing essential services to continue their operations and to weather the storm until we return to more normal times. Funding for charities will be made available in the coming weeks and the most up to date information will be on Gov.uk. Our aim is to get funding to those in greatest need as soon as possible.

Mortgages: Coronavirus

Grahame Morris: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will mandate mortgage lenders to provide all customers mortgage holidays upon request, irrespective of previous arrears on the customer account.

Kate Osborne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the feasibility of extending mortgage payment holidays to people that have commercial mortgages during the covid-19 outbreak.

John Glen: Banks and building societies are ready and able to support consumers impacted by COVID-19. On the 17 March, the Chancellor announced on behalf of the sector that banks and building societies will offer a 3-month ‘mortgage holiday’ for borrowers that are financially struggling with their repayments. This forbearance measure will enable affected borrowers to defer their mortgage payments for up to 3 months while they get back on their feet. The FCA have also published guidance on payment holidays and repossession action for firms that engage in mortgage lending activities. This means that second charge mortgages are also captured by the measures. You can view the guidance here: https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/mortgages-coronavirus-consumers As a form of forbearance, the option of a mortgage repayment holiday is open to any customer regardless of whether they are in payment shortfall. Any customer who is concerned about their current financial situation should get in touch with their lender at the earliest possible opportunity to discuss the best option for their them. The Government has introduced an unprecedented package of measures to support businesses access the finance they need during this difficult period, and announced significant measures to directly provide support for SMEs including grants, business rates relief and other tax measures.

Catering: Coronavirus

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans his Department has to cancel (a) beer duty and (b) VAT payments due this month to support the pub, brewing and hospitality sectors.

Jesse Norman: Time to Pay arrangements are already available to all businesses, which enable them to seek deferrals for beer duty and other taxes with no interest or late penalties due. HMRC’s dedicated COVID-19 helpline can be reached by calling: 0800 0159 559. This comes on top of the wider package of support announced by the Chancellor. Businesses will be able to access interest-free loans, defer their VAT payments due on VAT returns for the period until the end of June, and receive support worth up to 80% of their employees’ wages.

Business: Coronavirus

Mr Toby Perkins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on levels of business of (a) estate agents, (b) housebuilders, (c) conveyancers, (d) surveyors and (e) recruitment consultants; and whether he plans to provide to those sectors the same business rate support as he has provided to the hospitality sector.

Jesse Norman: The government has set out a package of measures to support businesses through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19. The Chancellor previously announced a 100% rates holiday for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties in 2020-21. On the 25th March the government went further and removed some of the exclusions for this relief, so that eligible retail, leisure, and hospitality properties that will have to close as a result of the measures announced by the Prime Minister in his statement of the 23rd March, will now be eligible for the relief. Support is also available to those not eligible for business rates relief, this includes the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan scheme for small and medium-sized businesses, a statutory sick pay relief package, the HMRC Time To Pay Scheme, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to help firms continue to keep people in employment and a new lending facility from the Bank of England for larger firms.

Self-employed: Coronavirus

Mr Toby Perkins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on self-employed people; and whether he has plans to provide a package of support for self-employed people equivalent to the support the Government has made available to employed people as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Emma Hardy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of giving self-employed people 80 per cent of their income during the covid-19 outbreak.

Stuart C McDonald: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what support is available to support (a) childminders, (b) driving instructors and (c) other self-employed people during the covid-19 outbreak.

Claire Hanna: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to provide financial support to self-employed people during the covid-19 outbreak.

Neil Coyle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of supporting self-employed people during the covid-19 outbreak by providing grants that cover 80 per cent of their average salary, using the last three years as a basis.

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to establish a Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for self-employed workers.

Jesse Norman: The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced new support for the self-employed on 26 March 2020. The new Self-Employed Income Support Scheme will help those with lost trading profits due to COVID-19. It will allow eligible individuals to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of their trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for the next 3 months. This may be extended if needed and is one of the most generous self-employed support schemes in the world. To qualify, an individual’s self-employed trading profits must be less than £50,000 and more than half of their income must come from self-employment. Some 95% of people who receive most of their income from self-employment will benefit from this Scheme. HM Revenue & Customs will contact individuals if they are eligible and will invite them to apply online using a simple form. HMRC are working on this urgently and expect people to be able to access the Scheme no later than the beginning of June. More information about the Scheme, including the full eligibility criteria and how to claim, is available at www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme The Scheme supplements the significant support already announced for UK businesses and employees, including the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, and deferral of tax payments. More information about the full range of business support measures is available at www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Alan Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if the wage grant under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be made available to employees working reduced hours.

Louise Haigh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether businesses with workers with an increased risk of severe illness will be entitled to claim for the Worker Retention Scheme to ensure their salary is paid while they are following advice to stay at home.

Louise Haigh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will apply to staff who are working in the UK on a spousal visa.

Gavin Newlands: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether workers who had their hours of work cut in response to the covid-19 outbreak prior to the announcement of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be eligible for support at the rate of pay commensurate with the original number of hours worked.

Gavin Newlands: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether there is a minimum number of hours worked per calendar week for an employee to be considered a furloughed worker for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Rachel Hopkins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme takes into account (a) wage fluctuation over a period of 6 months and (b) basic income, (c) additional income, (d) overtime payments, (e) commission and (f) pension contributions when calculating 80 per cent of a wage.

Jesse Norman: The Government seeks, as far as possible, to protect people’s jobs and incomes. This is an unprecedented jobs retention scheme and the Government has been working hard to set out further details on the scheme. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is open to any individual who was on an employer’s PAYE payroll on 19 March 2020. Full details can be found in the guidance available at www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme and www.gov.uk/guidance/work-out-80-of-your-employees-wages-to-claim-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme, which provides answers to these questions.

Alcoholic Drinks: Excise Duties

Patrick Grady: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make it his policy to waive duty payments on the production of alcohol for use in hand sanitiser by spirit drinks distillers in the UK.

Patrick Grady: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with representatives of the spirit distillation industry in the UK on the support they require to switch production to the manufacture of santising products.

Kemi Badenoch: To meet the additional demand for hand sanitiser, the government has been supporting manufacturers by ensuring they have access to the denatured alcohol they need. Since the beginning of March, HM Revenue & Customs has fast-tracked the authorisation of over 3 million additional litres of denatured alcohol for hand sanitiser production. However, in light of continuing high demand for the alcohol needed in these products, HMRC has worked proactively with the spirits industry on a series of easements to the current requirements. Under new measures announced on 23rd March, distillers and gin producers that hold alcohol or alcohol waste within an excise warehouse may, without HMRC’s prior approval, use these products to produce hand sanitiser without the payment of excise duty, providing the final product meets the World Health Organization’s formulation for Handrub. Further information on all the easements announced by HMRC to support hand sanitiser production can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/producing-hand-sanitiser-and-gel-for-coronavirus-covid-19

Spirits: Excise Duties

Ian Murray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of reducing the duty on spirits as a result of producers switching production to hand sanitiser; and if he will make a statement.

Kemi Badenoch: The government is aware that some distillers have offered to support their local communities by using their alcohol stocks to produce hand sanitiser. We are keen to support this and ensure that were alcohol is used for this purpose it does not attract excise duty. Under new measures announced by HM Revenue & Customs on 23rd March, distillers and gin producers that hold alcohol within an excise warehouse may, without prior approval, use this to produce hand sanitiser without the payment of excise duty, providing the final product meets the World Health Organization’s formulation for Handrub. Further information on all the easements announced by to support hand sanitiser production can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/producing-hand-sanitiser-and-gel-for-coronavirus-covid-19

Iron and Steel: Manufacturing Industries

Ben Lake: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps he is taking to support the UK steel industry.

Ben Lake: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has discussed steps to support Welsh steel production with his Welsh Government counterparts.

Steve Barclay: Prior to Covid 19, the government had already begun to take wide-ranging action to support the UK steel industry, including compensation for energy costs, supporting innovation and clean steel production – through the £315m Industrial Energy Transformation Fund and £250m Clean Steel Fund, and working with the industry to introduce steel procurement guidance.Since the outbreak, the government has announced a comprehensive package of support for businesses and workers to protect them against the current economic emergency.They come alongside the more than £1.6 billion that has been allocated by the UK Government to help the Welsh Government meet this exceptional challenge.

Beer: Excise Duties

Gill Furniss: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will cancel beer duty payments due by direct debit on 25 March 2020 for small independent breweries.

Kemi Badenoch: Time to Pay arrangements are already available to all brewers, which enable them to seek deferrals for beer duty and other taxes with no interest or late penalties due. HMRC’s dedicated Covid-19 helpline can be reached by calling: 0800 0159 559. This comes on top of the wider package of support announced by the Chancellor, worth over £350bn. Small brewers will be able to access interest-free loans, defer their VAT payments due on VAT returns for the period until the end of June and receive support worth up to 80% of their employees’ wages.

Credit Cards: Fees and Charges

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will hold discussions with credit card companies to ask them to suspend the charging of fees on balances while the  restrictions in response to covid-19 are in place; and if he will make a statement.

John Glen: On 17 March, the Government announced a package of measures aimed at supporting the financial wellbeing of British businesses, individuals, and families. The Government recognises that the outbreak of COVID-19 may lead to consumers facing financial difficulty and uncertainty. Therefore, we have acted to support customers who may find it challenging to make mortgage or credit payments and may require access to further credit. The major banks and building societies have pledged to provide relief to customers impacted by COVID-19, including deferring mortgage and other loan repayments, waiving fees on savings accounts and increasing overdraft or credit card limits. The Government is committed to doing whatever it takes to get our nation through the impacts of COVID-19 and is working closely with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and industry, including credit card companies, on a number of financial services issues. The Government stands ready to announce further action wherever necessary.

Business: Coronavirus

Craig Whittaker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether businesses that do not pay business rates are eligible to apply for grants through the Covid-19 Business Grants Fund.

Craig Whittaker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the guidance published by his Department on 23 March 2020, entitled Covid-19: support for businesses, what steps he is taking to ensure that businesses that (a) sub-lease space from others and (b) are run from home are able to access business grants.

John Glen: Only businesses which as of 11 March 2020 had their own rating assessment / rates valuation are eligible for the Business Grants Funds. The Small Business Grant Fund and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund have been designed to support the smallest businesses, and smaller businesses in some of the sectors which have been hit hardest by the measures taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Both schemes have been tied to the business rates system because these businesses are likely to face particularly high fixed costs, such as fixed rents and other building-related costs. The grants schemes are already making a real difference to many thousands of businesses, which have received a total of over £1 billion since the schemes were launched. Small businesses in shared offices / premises, where the overall building’s rates valuation is too big to qualify for a grant, and where the users of the shared space don’t have their own rating assessment, are not eligible for the grants’ scheme. However, small businesses which are not eligible for these schemes should be able to benefit from other measures in the Government’s unprecedented package of support for business, including: An option to defer VAT payments by up to twelve months;The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, now extended to cover all businesses including those which would be able to access commercial credit;The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, to support businesses with their wage bills;The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, to provide support to the self-employed. The Business Support website provides further information about how businesses can access the support that has been made available, who is eligible, when the schemes open and how to apply - https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/.

Business: Insurance

Tim Farron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 23 March 2020 to Question 31468 on Businesses: Insurance, what steps he is taking to provide insurance for businesses that have not been directed to close by the Government but have closed as a result of Government advice on the covid-19 outbreak.

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans his Department has to underwrite insurance costs for business interruption during the covid-19 outbreak for the pub, brewing and hospitality sectors.

John Glen: Insurance is not an appropriate product where a risk has already materialised, or where it is overwhelmingly likely that a risk will occur. For this reason, where businesses did not already have an appropriate policy that covers government-ordered closure or unspecified notifiable diseases, insurance is not a suitable tool for the Government to cover the financial losses due to COVID-19. The Government recognises that businesses who do not have appropriate insurance cover will require support from elsewhere. That is why the Chancellor set out a package of support in the Budget, on 17 March, and on 20 March, which includes measures such as business rates holidays, the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, and wage support.

Roadchef: Employee Benefit Trusts

Neil Gray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress his Department been made on the dispute between HMRC and the Roadchef Employee Benefits Trust since the meeting between the Financial Secretary, the hon. Member for Airdrie and Shotts and the Chairman of the Trust; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman: The administration of the tax system is a matter for HM Revenue and Customs, who have indicated that they are in dialogue with the taxpayer. It would not be appropriate for Treasury ministers to become involved in the administration of the tax system in specific cases.

Employee Ownership

Neil Gray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to promote employee share ownership schemes; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman: I refer the Honourable Member to my written answer of 24 March 2020: https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2020-03-16/29951/

Employee Ownership

Neil Gray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to protect participants in employee share ownership schemes from losing their tax relief when a trustee acts in breach of trust; and if he will make a statement.

Jesse Norman: I refer the Honourable Member to my written answer of 19 March 2020: https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2020-03-16/29950/

Loans: Coronavirus

Stephen Kinnock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will introduce an immediate six-month moratorium on commercial lenders enforcing loan repayments during the covid-19 outbreak.

John Glen: The Government has announced an unprecedented support package to help businesses through this challenging time. For larger businesses, this includes the new Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF), which will provide additional help for firms facing cash flow disruption, and the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme launched on Monday 20 April. For small and medium sized businesses (SMEs), the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) launched on 23 March which will help give lenders greater confidence to continue providing SMEs with finance through this uncertainty. The Government welcomes the commitments made by the banking industry to support their customers’ finance needs, and will continue to work with the regulators and the industry to ensure the steps we have taken are effective in helping businesses through this period of uncertainty. Any customer who is concerned about their current financial situation should get in touch with their lender at the earliest possible opportunity to discuss the best option for them.

Pensions: Coronavirus

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the covid-19 outbreak, whether he has plans to extend the deadline by which single premium pension payments may be made into existing personal pension plans in the current year beyond 5 April 2020.

John Glen: There are various types of deadline that may relate to single premium pension payments. If the deadline is set out in the contract of the personal pension plan, this is a contractual issue between the individual and their pension provider. In relation to tax matters, the Government allows up to three years of unused annual allowance to be carried forward, if individuals have not used up their whole annual allowance in previous tax years.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Teachers

Ian Mearns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the income of long term supply teaching staff employed (a) through agencies and (b) by schools, acadamies or local authorities will have their income protected under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Wes Streeting: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether agency workers will be eligible to access the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Wes Streeting: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how the average pay of people on (a) zero-hours and (b) casual contracts will be calculated under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Claire Hanna: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to protect agency workers that are facing unemployment as a result of the covid-19 outbreak; and whether those workers are included in the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether people who are advised not to work because they (a) are defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable or (b) live in a household with people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable will be eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Jon Trickett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure that agency workers facing a loss of income as a result of the covid-19 outbreak receive a wage from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Tim Farron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether employees that are being paid through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will jeopardise their access to that scheme in the event that they undertake short-term employment for work places that (a) are understaffed as a result of workers self-isolating, (b) classified as essential by the Government, (c) are experiencing an increased demand as a result of the covid-19 outbreak and (d) where work can be done remotely.

Alan Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether workers made redundant after 1 March 2020 as a result of the covid-19 epidemic who are re-employed by their original employer and then furloughed will be eligible for the 80 per cent wage grant under the business interruption Government support mechanism.

Hilary Benn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme applies to those deemed to be employees in terms of tax under IR35.

Jesse Norman: The Government seeks, as far as possible, to protect people’s jobs and incomes. This is an unprecedented jobs retention scheme and the Government has been working hard to set out further details on the scheme. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is open to any individual who was on an employer’s PAYE payroll on 19 March 2020. Full details can be found in the guidance available at www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme and www.gov.uk/guidance/work-out-80-of-your-employees-wages-to-claim-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme, which provides answers to these questions.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of people who will be eligible to receive 80 per cent of their salaries under the terms of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jesse Norman: Any employer using a UK PAYE scheme can access the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme provided they meet the other eligibility criteria. As of January 2020, there were about 29.2 million employees being paid through a PAYE scheme.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Louise Haigh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether businesses not listed as non-essential shops and public spaces which choose to close to safeguard their staff will be entitled to assistance under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Alex Norris: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether employers will incur any (a) costs or (b) conditions as a result of accessing the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Jesse Norman: The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is designed to help firms that have been severely affected by coronavirus to retain their employees and protect the UK economy. The scheme is open to all UK employers providing they have created and started a PAYE payroll scheme on or before 19 March 2020 and have a UK bank account. The Government has designed this package to be straightforward and comprehensive for businesses. Employers can claim a grant for the associated Employer National Insurance contributions and pension contributions (up to the level of minimum automatic enrolment employer pension contribution) on the subsidised furlough pay. Full guidance for employers, including the requirements on businesses, can be found at: www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Shipping

Karl Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether foreign shipping companies operating from UK ports are eligible for Government assistance in paying 80 per cent of seafarers’ wages under the terms of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Karl Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether offshore-registered crewing agencies supplying seafarers to the UK shipping industry are eligible for Government assistance in paying 80 per cent of seafarers’ wages under the terms of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Karl Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will issue guidance to (a) seafarers, (b) shipping companies and (c) international shipping registers working or operating in the UK shipping industry on access to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Jesse Norman: Any entity with a UK payroll can apply to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme as long as they have: (1) created and started a PAYE payroll scheme on or before 19 March 2020, (2) enrolled for PAYE online and (3) a UK bank account. This applies to any organisation including those listed in these questions. Further guidance can be found online at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme.

Agriculture: Non-domestic Rates

Dr Luke Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what additional fiscal steps he is taking to support agricultural businesses subject to exemption from business rates but experiencing acute financial difficulties during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jesse Norman: The Government has set out a package of measures to support businesses, including agricultural businesses, through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19, including those businesses not eligible for business rate relief. This support for business includes the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan scheme for small and medium-sized businesses, a statutory sick pay relief package, the HMRC Time To Pay Scheme, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to help firms continue to keep people in employment, and a new lending facility from the Bank of England for larger firms. These measures provide a comprehensive, coordinated and coherent response to what is a serious and evolving economic situation. As the wider economic picture becomes clearer, the Government will continue to act to get the nation through the impacts of COVID-19 and the Government stands ready to announce further action wherever necessary.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Robert Halfon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will provide support businesses to encourage their employees to move towards part-time shift working during the outbreak of covid-19 through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Jesse Norman: The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme does not subsidise part-time work. It is designed to support individuals who would otherwise have been made redundant and it also protects public health by minimising the number of non-key workers outside of their homes on a regular basis. The Government has strengthened the welfare system to support those whose hours change, including through an increase to the Universal Credit standard allowance and to the working tax credit basic element.

Employment: Coronavirus

Tim Farron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what financial support he plans to provide for employees in the event that their employer requires them to come into work and refuses to access the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme on their behalf but they (a) are not a key worker, (b) do not deem their work to be essential and (c) believe that there is a risk of spreading covid-19 by attending work.

Jesse Norman: The decision to furlough an employee must ultimately be agreed to by both the employer and employee. If an employee is concerned that their employer is not claiming on their behalf, they should speak with their employer in the first instance, then with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS). Where it is permitted and does not go against public health guidance, businesses may wish to ask their employees to continue working as usual. Maintaining economic activity where possible will help towards creating a robust economic recovery as the UK emerges from this pandemic.

Statutory Sick Pay

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much (a) statutory sick pay has been paid out of the public purse to (a) self-employed and (b) employed people in financial year 2019-20.

Jesse Norman: Statutory Sick Pay is paid by employers not from the public purse. The Government has introduced a rebate scheme reimbursing small-medium enterprises (less than 250 employees) for up to two weeks of SSP per employee due to COVID-19. The Government estimates that nearly 2 million employers will be eligible for this rebate. The Government will work with employers over the coming months to set up a repayment mechanism for employers as soon as possible.

Charities: Coronavirus

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to provide emergency funding to charities supporting the response to the covid-19 outbreak.

Steve Barclay: The Chancellor set on April 8 a £750 million package of support for charities providing key services and supporting vulnerable people during the Covid-19 crisis. This will help charities providing essential services to continue their operations and to weather the storm until we return to more normal times. Funding for charities will be made available in the coming weeks and the most up to date information will be on Gov.uk. Our aim is to get funding to those in greatest need as soon as possible.

Business: Government Assistance

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of including (a) mobile food vendors and (b) other non-business rate hospitality businesses in his cash grant support package for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors.

Steve Barclay: The Small Business Grant Fund and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund have been designed to support the smallest businesses, and smaller businesses in some of the sectors which have been hit hardest by the measures taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Both schemes have been tied to the business rates system because these businesses are likely to face particularly high fixed costs, such as fixed rents and other building-related costs. The grants schemes are already making a real difference to many thousands of businesses, which have received a total of around £1 billion since the schemes were launched. Small businesses which are not eligible for these grants’ schemes should be able to benefit from other measures in the Government’s unprecedented package of support for business, including: An option to defer VAT payments by up to twelve months;The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, now extended to cover all businesses including those which would be able to access commercial credit;The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, to support businesses with their wage bills;The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, to provide support to the self-employed. The Business Support website provides further information about how businesses can access the support that has been made available, who is eligible, when the schemes open and how to apply - https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/

Charities: Coronavirus

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he is holding discussions with Cabinet colleagues on (a) charity sector insecurity as a result of the covid-19 outbreak and (b) plans to mitigate that insecurity through a sector-wide bailout.

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an  assessment of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak restrictions on the third sector on the long-term ability of charities to operate.

Steve Barclay: The Chancellor set out on April 8 a £750 million package of support for charities providing key services and supporting vulnerable people during the Covid-19 crisis. This will help charities providing essential services to continue their operations and to weather the storm until we return to more normal times. Funding for charities will be made available in the coming weeks and the most up to date information will be on Gov.uk. Our aim is to get funding to those in greatest need as soon as possible.

Temporary Employment: Coronavirus

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what financial support contract workers will be eligible for during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jesse Norman: The Government is seeking to protect, as far as possible, people’s jobs and incomes. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will help employers to continue paying 80% of their employees’ wages and is open to individuals on any contract type who were on an employer’s PAYE payroll on or before 19 March 2020. Full guidance can be found at: www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wage-costs-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme.

Charities: Non-domestic Rates

Mary Kelly Foy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to extend the small business grant funding of £10,000 for all business in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief to charities in receipt of charity rate relief.

Jesse Norman: The Government has provided a comprehensive, coordinated and coherent package of measures to support all businesses through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19, including one-off grants for small businesses that pay little or no business rates because of small business rate relief or rural rate relief, to help meet their continuing business costs. Charities operating in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will also benefit from the business rates holiday for these sectors, and grant funding for properties with a rateable value below £51,000. On 8 April, the Chancellor announced a £750m support package for charities providing key services and supporting vulnerable people during the COVID-19 crisis. £360m will be allocated by central government to charities in England based on evidence of service need. This will include up to £200m support for hospices, with the rest going to organisations such as the St John Ambulance and the Citizens Advice Bureau, as well as charities supporting vulnerable children, victims of domestic abuse, or disabled people. £370m will support smaller, local charities working with vulnerable people. Charities will also be able to benefit from the range of other measures to support all businesses, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Business: Coronavirus

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to support independent businesses during the covid-19 outbreak.

Steve Barclay: The Government has announced unprecedented support for business and workers to protect them against the current economic emergency including an initial £330 billion of guarantees – equivalent to 15% of UK GDP. We have made significant changes to the operation of statutory sick pay, universal credit, and employment and support allowance to ensure that people have quicker and more generous access to a support system. We have taken further steps to give businesses access to cash to pay rent, salaries or suppliers, alongside a commitment to pay 80% of the regular monthly wages, up to £2,500, of furloughed workers for three months, via the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), and help for the self-employed with the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).Our economic response is one of the most generous and comprehensive globally and we are working urgently to deliver these schemes as quickly as possible.Businesses are now able to access much of this support already. There is a Business Support website that helps businesses find out how to access the support that has been made available, who is eligible, when the schemes open and how to apply - https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Entertainments: Coronavirus

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make it his policy to discontinue plans for a Festival of Britain and reallocate funding allocated to that purpose to supporting entertainment businesses during the covid-19 outbreak.

Caroline Dinenage: The Department remains committed to delivering Festival 2022 which will showcase the UK’s unique strengths in creativity and innovation and celebrate our place in the world in the 21st century. Festival 2022 will be an opportunity to invest in DCMS sectors as commissioning is expected to start later this year. In the meantime, the Government has already set out a package to support public services, people and businesses through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19.

Pop Festivals: Coronavirus

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will take steps to provide financial assistance to the music industry for loss of revenue due to the cancellation of (a) concerts and (b) festivals during the covid-19 outbreak.

Caroline Dinenage: The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced measures to support businesses and organisations that have been impacted by the pandemic. This includes the Government stepping in to help pay people’s wages – a scheme which is one of the most generous of any in the world – paying grants to support as many jobs as necessary. Any employer in the country who promises to retain their staff, can apply for a grant to cover most of the cost of paying people’s wages. Government grants will cover 80 per cent of the salary of retained workers up to a total of £2,500 a month, with this limit set well above the median income. The cost of wages will be backdated to 1st March and will be open for at least three months. The Government will consider extending the scheme for longer if necessary.We are also deferring the next three months of VAT, a direct injection of £33 billion of cash to employers which means no business will pay any VAT in March, April or May; and they will have until the end of the financial year to repay those bills.The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme will now be interest free for twelve months, an extension from the initial announcement of six months. We have already introduced and announced an extension to the Business Interruption Loan Scheme, which is for small and medium-sized businesses. On 17 March the Chancellor expanded the amount that can be borrowed from £1.2 million to £5 million.The Chancellor has also announced measures to protect the self-employed and as long as they fulfil the criteria for these measures, freelancers and the self employed in the music industry will benefit from these measures. The Self-employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will support self-employed individuals (including members of partnerships) whose income has been negatively impacted by COVID-19. The scheme will provide a grant to self-employed individuals or partnerships, worth 80% of their profits up to a cap of £2,500 per month.

Voluntary Work: Coronavirus

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Prime Minister's broadcast announcement on Monday 23rd March 2020, what the Government's policy is on the voluntary sector and community support groups that wish to help vulnerable housebound and self-isolating people during the covid-19 epidemic; and if he will make a statement.

Mr John Whittingdale: We are working closely with voluntary sector organisations to identify key partners to lead efforts and mobilise volunteers safely. The government launched the NHS Volunteer Responders programme yesterday, however, this is not intended to replace local groups helping their vulnerable neighbours but is an additional service.

Broadband

Paul Howell: What steps his Department is taking to expand the availability of gigabit-capable broadband throughout the UK.

Matt Warman: The Government is committed to delivering nationwide gigabit capable connectivity as soon as possible. Much progress has already been made, with full fibre coverage doubling in the past year to reach 10% of UK premises, according to the latest Ofcom figures. This Government will continue to take action to remove barriers to network rollout and to ensure that those in the hardest to reach areas are not left behind. We have introduced legislation to make it easier for operators to deploy broadband in blocks of flats, will be legislating to mandate gigabit connectivity in new builds and will invest £5 billion of funding to support gigabit rollout in hard to reach areas.

Mass Media: Coronavirus

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with the Independent Community News Network on (a) the viability of and (b) Government support for independent local media during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.

Mr John Whittingdale: The need for independent, verifiable news and information is more important than ever, given the current crisis caused by the outbreak of Covid-19. The news publishing sector’s sustainability and the continued provision of reliable, high-quality information is therefore a priority for the Government. Ministers in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport are actively engaging with stakeholders across the media industry, including local and independent news publishing outlets, to understand the challenges posed by the current crisis and to establish the most effective means of supporting the whole of the industry.Several measures have already been put in place as part of an unprecedented package of support. The Business Interruption Loan, designed for small and medium enterprises, could be helpful to local news publishers. Additionally, the Government is supporting business through the Job Retention Scheme, VAT and tax deferrals, and through covering the cost of statutory sick pay. We are committed to ensuring that firms whose business models were viable before this crisis remain viable once it is over.

House of Commons Commission

House of Commons: Remote Working

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what steps the Commission is taking to ensure staff working for (a) hon. Members, (b) the House of Commons and (c) shared services who can work from home are doing so.

Pete Wishart: Enabling remote working for Members’ staff, Commons staff and shared services staff is a key priority in the Parliamentary Digital Service response to Covid-19.One aspect of this focus is the provision of emergency laptops to those who are normally equipped with desktop computers. There is a reasonable laptop stock available, but it should be noted that market supply has been severely disrupted.A digital coaching service for Members and their staff has been mobilised to provide help and best practice guidance on working remotely. Parliamentary Digital Service has distributed advice and guidance to all Members and their staff explaining how to access parliamentary services remotely, including from their own personal computers, how to connect to local printers from Parliamentary laptops and optimising the use of Skype for Business. This guidance is being updated daily and extended based on need.All services managed by the Digital Service can be accessed remotely from a Parliamentary laptop. There are a few procedural services which require specific additional remote access tools to use. These can be enabled upon request if required. It is not expected that any of the parliamentary services used by most Members and their staff would fall into this category.The Digital Service has a three-phase strategy in its response: respond, embed and enhance. The first two are focused on helping users make best use of the parliamentary services. The “enhance phase” which is mobilising now is working with the senior leadership of Commons and the Lords to assess what additional capabilities are required and can be deployed in the Covid-19 context over the coming months.

Electronic Voting: Coronavirus

Caroline Lucas: To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, whether the Commission is holding discussions with other Parliaments moving to establish secure electronic voting systems by use of (a) email and (b) other methods during the covid-19 outbreak; and if the Commission will ensure that technical work to allow electronic voting in the UK Parliament is undertaken to enable proposals on the introduction of a secure electronic voting system to be put before the House; and if he will make a statement.

Pete Wishart: The House of Commons Commission has held no discussions with other Parliaments about electronic voting by use of email or other methods during the Covid-19 outbreak.Any decision to implement electronic voting would need to be agreed by the House first. The Commission’s responsibility in this matter would be limited to the financial and staffing implications of the decision, which would include the technical work to allow electronic voting to take place.The House has not made a decision to introduce electronic voting. In July 2019, the Procedure Committee began an inquiry into voting procedures in the House of Commons that included a consideration of “the desirability and/or feasibility of alternatives to current arrangements”. That inquiry was interrupted by the general election and the Committee has not made any decision on whether to reopen it.

Northern Ireland Office

Abortion: Northern Ireland

Sir John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make an assessment of the extent of demand on the NHS in Northern Ireland that will result from the implementation of Section 9 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc.) Act 2019.

Mr Robin Walker: On 25 March, the Government made The Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2020, which came into force on 31 March 2020. I recognise the current strains on health systems right across the UK, but hope that full abortion services can be commissioned as soon as possible in Northern Ireland in the current circumstances, consistent with the Regulations we made. It will be a matter for the Northern Ireland Department of Health and the Health and Social Care Board to assess the extent of the demand on the health system.